David Mullins: Grand National-winning jockey retires from saddle aged 24

Grand National-winning jockey David Mullins has announced his retirement from the saddle aged 24.

Mullins, son of trainer Tom and nephew of Irish champion trainer Willie, won the big race at Aintree on Rule The World in 2016.

He also finished second aboard Pleasant Company two years later.

“When you leave school at 16 you feel trapped into being a jockey. It’s relentless. There is no break,” he told the Racing Post.

Mullins was 19 and competing in his first Grand National when he rode his 33-1 shot to victory five years ago.

He won on Bellshill and Faugheen for his uncle at the 2018 Punchestown Festival and now hopes to forge a career in bloodstock sales.

Mullins returned to action after a bad fall in October 2018 and rode a total of 211 career winners, with his last ride coming on 13 January when he was third on Blackbow at Naas.

“It just didn’t fit with what I wanted to do any more, but racing is a tough game to get out of, and I’ve been trying for the last year to 18 months,” he said.

BBC