Jockey Harry Cobden named ambassador to Aintree and Cheltenham Racecourses

Champion jump jockey Harry Cobden is set to become a racecourse ambassador for The Jockey Club at both Aintree and Cheltenham.

Cobden, who is stable jockey at Paul Nicholls' Ditcheat base, was crowned champion jump jockey last season, a campaign in which he rode 164 winners. Among those winners were victories at both Cheltenham and Aintree Racecourse, the two venues he will now represent as an ambassador.

Cobden partnered Nicholls' Monmiral to victory in the Pertemps Final at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival in March. And although he didn't have a winner at the Randox Grand National Festival the following month, he has previously won the Grade One Marsh Chase with Pic D'Orhy in 2023 and the 2022 Grade One Betway Bowl on board Clan Des Obeaux.

The 26-year-old said: “I’m thrilled to be working with Cheltenham and Aintree Racecourses – two venues that are at the heart of British jumps racing and host some of the most significant events of the season. These are the races every jockey dreams of winning, and it’s going to be a great pleasure to represent them as an ambassador. I’m excited about the chance to strengthen my connections with the communities around both racecourses. Cheltenham and Aintree have incredibly passionate supporters, and I look forward to engaging with fans and contributing to projects that bring people closer to the sport over the coming months.”

Cobden joins legendary former jockeys Ruby Walsh and Barry Geraghty as ambassadors of Cheltenham and Aintree Racecourses.

Cobden is now one of the leading riders in the country having risen quickly through the ranks. He began his professional career riding for local trainers and by 17 was already riding for multiple champion trainer Nicholls. His partnership with Nicholls has been highly successful, with Cobden securing several major successes including victories in the Grade One Turners Novices’ Chase with Stage Star and the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle with Stay Away Fay at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival. Other big-race wins include the 2017 Tingle Creek with Politologue and two King George VI Chase victories on board Clan Des Obeaux and Bravemansgame.

Ian Renton, Managing Director The Jockey Club – West, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Harry Cobden into the Jockey Club team. He is undoubtably one of the biggest stars of our sport and a great ambassador for Jumps Racing.”