‘Tallest jockey in the world’ has rival for the title at Cheltenham

You don’t come across many lofty figures in the weighing rooms of the UK’s racecourses but two jockeys standing at a (relatively) towering 223cm (6ft 4in) will rub shoulders when the Cheltenham festival begins on Tuesday.

Jack Andrews, 25, from Warwickshire, rose to fame last year when he was billed as the tallest jockey in the world during his appearance at the festival, but this week has a rival for the title – Thomas Costello, from County Clare in Ireland.

The pair will not race each other on day one of the festival but might be persuaded to stand back to back, to find out who is the tallest of them all.

Costello, 22, said being such a tall jockey had its low points. “I question myself sometimes why I am a jockey. It’s tough – I can’t lie. I try to watch what I eat and do plenty of exercise to try and keep on top of my weight but it is difficult.

“Breakfast is probably a no-go. For lunch, I try to have a sandwich then have something like a pasta-based dinner, nothing too heavy. I try to drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks. Chocolate and fizzy drinks are my guilty pleasures. It’s difficult not to, but I try not to snack as it doesn’t suit me at all.”

He said he tended to be four or five inches taller than most of his fellow riders, but he does not think he will have longevity in racing.

“I have to pursue my college degree in business as with my height I’m probably not going to last that long as a jockey,” said Costello. “I’ll give it my best and enjoy it for a few years. Every day is a bonus – inevitably weight is going to catch up with me.”

He used to get some double takes. “When I first walked in the weighing room they looked at me like I had four heads. But once you start riding winners you soon get accepted.”

Costello is based in Closutton in County Carlow, Ireland, with the legendary trainer Willie Mullins, who has 94 Cheltenham festival winners and hopes this week to become the first to reach 100. Costello rides a horse called Asian Master, which is owned by his family.

“He is not the tallest horse, around 16.1 hands, but a very well built, strong and wide horse so feels like a big horse when you ride him, and was just about the heaviest horse when he was weighted at Willie’s.”

Andrews described how he had adapted his riding style and posture to account for his shape, tucking his legs and knees in to ensure he is “neat and tidy” during races, especially when jumping fences.

He said: “One of the best compliments someone can give me is that I don’t look tall on the horse.”

He did not sound worried at the idea of being usurped as the rangiest rider, concluding: “I’ll have to stand next to him to see who is taller.”