Legendary jockey confirms he won’t be riding at Cheltenham Festival due to ‘other commitments’

LEGENDARY jockey Jamie Codd has confirmed he won’t be racing at this year’s Cheltenham Festival due to ‘other commitments’.

The leading amateur rider has ten wins at the Festival but says he currently does not hold a jockey licence.

Crispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin

Cheltenham hero Codd will be missing from this year’s Festival[/caption]

Codd’s most recent win came on Ravenhill in the 2020 National Hunt Chase.

But he rode superstars including Envoi Allen to Champion Bumper glory in 2019 and famously tipped up shock 25-1 Supreme winner Labaik.

Regularly used by Gordon Elliott, Codd, nicknamed ‘the Coddfather’, is part of Festival folklore.

But, in his At The Races column, he confirmed his other business interests are now taking precedence.

And it means he won’t be at Prestbury Park, in a riding capacity at least, in March.

Codd wrote: “It’s all systems go for many in racing as we build towards March, but I won’t be riding at this year’s Cheltenham Festival.

“I haven’t been in action since last May and have been busy with several other commitments, including with my role at Tattersalls.

“At the moment, I don’t have a licence, but the beauty of being an amateur jockey is that if I want to start riding again, I can do so easily.”

Dad-of-two Codd’s first win at the Festival came in the 2009 Kim Muir – a race he has won four times – aboard Character Building.

He would go onto win the race in 2011, 2015 and 2016, on Cause Of Causes.

That same horse had Codd in charge when winning the 2015 National Hunt Chase and the Cross Country two years later.

Elliott has resorted to younger claiming rides for some of his up and coming stars this season.

Harry Swan, son of iconic rider Charlie, has been hugely impressive in the saddle, steering the likes of Champion Bumper favourite Jalon D’oudairies and Romeo Coolio to victory.

While Danny Gilligan has won two Graded races this season aboard Coko Beach and Kala Conti.

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