News
Monday November 9 2026
Life beyond the Saddle: What Plumpton’s Jockeys Do After They Hang Up Their Boots
Though smaller than, let’s say, Newmarket or Cheltenham, Plumpton's compact racecourse nevertheless enjoys a long list of famous jockeys who have ridden here. A Grand National winner rode his first winner here; the most successful jump jockey in history rode his 3,000th winner here; and the current champion of the Sussex circuit passed his century at Plumpton this spring. The names that have ridden here have been impressive and date back years. But what did a lot of these names do after riding at Plumpton?
Bob Champion and Tony McCoy
Two of the most famous jockeys who have ridden at Plumpton are Bob Champion and Tony McCoy.
Bob Champion's first-ever career win actually came at Plumpton back in 1968 on a horse called Altercation. Thirteen years after this win, he went on to win the 1981 Grand National on Aldaniti, a victory that is commemmorated each autumn at Plumpton in our charity raceday to raise funds for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust. Even more of you will remember the race from its dramatisation in the full feature film, Champions, starring John Hurt as the eponymous Champion, and Edward Woodward, perfectly cast as Josh Gifford.
Tony McCoy passed a huge milestone at Plumpton. On 9 February 2009, he rode Restless D’Artaix to win at Plumpton, which was his 3,000th win, making him the first jockey in Britain and Ireland to ever reach such a high figure.
Both jockeys had remarkable careers. After retiring from race-riding, they used their names for completely different purposes.
Life After Riding
Bob Champion went into fund-raising, founding the Bob Champion Cancer Trust in 1983, alongside the more orthodox route of training chasers and hurdlers. Today, the Bob Champion Cancer Research Laboratory is part of Europe’s largest research facility dedicated solely to male cancers.
McCoy went a different route into media. After retiring from racing in 2015, he moved into punditry and books. He’s also a regular on ITV’s racing coverage; he is usually in the weighing room with jockeys, officials, and valets. he acts as advisor to leading owner J P McManus, alongside another former top rider in Frank Berry.
Many names who didn’t necessarily ride at Plumpton had different post-racing careers and trajectories. Frankie Dettori, the flat jockey, went the licensing route, with a developer creating Frankie Dettori: Sporting Legends for the online slots UK market. It’s an unusual route for a jockey, but a smart one, as he was able to use his name to generate after-riding fame. Dettori's later years have been somewhat chequered in financial terms. He was declared bankrupt in 2024, and returned to riding in the US to pay off his debts.
There's no established career path after riding. The orthodox route is to train, but this is an increasingly precarious path. Some have gone into charity and entertainment, while others went the licensing route, and many of the lesser lights have left the sport altogether. All of them, however, have used their popularity to help progress their careers.
Who could Be Next?
Being a jockey, it never pays to look too far ahead. After all, this is a rare profession where an ambulance follows you every time you mount a horse. Top riders like Richard Dunwoody have had their careers curtailed before they were ready to stop, and it can hurt like hell, and not merely physically either.
Jockeys take a fall on average every 12 rides. They needn't be disastrous every time, but the law of averages doesn't lie. Ask Brendan Powell, hospitalized on Monday with a broken arm after a fall from Diamond Days here in a handicap chase on Monday. The Injured Jockeys Fund provides some financial protection, and a rehab route back to fitness. But it's stil a hard road; meantime, in your absence, someone else has been taking your rides.
Plumpton's current leading lights belong to the local circuit, which is where Champion and McCoy started too.
Tom Cannon rode his 100th Plumpton winner on 21 April 2025, which was a major personal milestone. Marc Goldstein rode a four-timer at 5,745-1 here on 3 April 2025, something that gets jockeys noticed. Marc's father Ray was a well-recognized figure on the South-East circuit for many years in the 80s and 90s.
Both of these names are experienced, established riders already. This year in particular, however, has been a step-up for both of them, helping cement their name in the world of horse racing.
No guarantee of success. Every possibility of injury. £235.90 riding fee per ride. It's a strange way to earn a living.
