Daryl Jacob feeling grand after landmark success

Daryl Jacob hit a significant milestone during his final season in the saddle after riding his 1,000th winner in Europe.

The veteran jump jockey, who has a Grand National title and multiple Grade One races on his CV, has already announced that he will hang up his boots at the end of the term.

A key target for his closing campaign was to reach the 1,000 tally in Europe and at Ayr on Saturday that goal was met as Ottizzini obliged for Stuart Crawford in the United Council Of Racecourse Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle.

Jacob was delighted to get that job done early in the season and he is grateful to those who have supported him in making it happen, particularly the ‘Double Green’ partnership of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede – for whom he is a long-term retained rider.

“It’s something I’ve had on my agenda for the last couple of years and I was getting closer to it, so it was nice to get there early doors in the season as well,” said Jacob.

“It’s a lovely milestone to reach, a lot of hard graft has gone into it and a lot of people have walked the walk with me all the way through my career.”

Of Munir and Souede, he added: “We’ve had a brilliant relationship and a very long one, 11 years together, it’s a huge credit to them as they’ve been very, very loyal and huge supporters of my career.

“It’s one of the things I’m most proud of, having a great relationship with them for such a long time.”