Paul Townend (born 15 September 1990) is an Irish

jockey A jockey is someone who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing. The word "jockey" originated from England and was used ...

who competes in

National Hunt racing National Hunt Racing, also known as Jump Racing, is a form of horse racing particular to many European countries, including, but not limited to: France, horse racing in Great Britain, Great Britain and horse racing in Ireland, Ireland. Jump Racin ...

. From Lisgoold in

County Cork County Cork () is the largest and the southernmost Counties of Ireland, county of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, named after the city of Cork (city), Cork, the state's second-largest city. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster ...

, he has been attached to the yard of Irish trainer

Willie Mullins William Peter Mullins (born 15 September 1956) is an Irish racehorse horse trainer, trainer and former jockey. He is a nineteen-time List of Irish National Hunt races, Irish National Hunt Champion trainer. Mullins is the most successful traine ...

since he was fifteen, beginning his career as an apprentice

flat racing Horse racing is an equestrianism, equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all spor ...

jockey. Following the retirement of

Ruby Walsh Rupert "Ruby" Walsh (born 14 May 1979) is an Irish former jockey. He is the second child, and eldest son, of former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh and his wife Helen. Widely regarded as one of the greatest National Hunt racing, National Hunt ...

in 2019, Townend became the number one jockey to the Mullins yard. In

2019 This was the year in which the first known human case of COVID-19 was documented, preceding COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic which was declared by the World Health Organization the following year. Up to that point, 2019 had been described as ...

he gave

his first

Cheltenham Gold Cup The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt horse race run on the New Course at Cheltenham Racecourse in England, over a distance of about 3 miles 2½ furlon ...

winner with Al Boum Photo and he repeated this success in 2020. He recorded his third and fourth win in the race on

Galopin Des Champs Galopin Des Champs (foaled 12 May 2016) is a French-bred, Irish-trained thoroughbred racehorse who competes in National Hunt racing. Trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Paul Townend, he won the 2023 and 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup and the 2023, ...

in 2023 and 2024. He won the 2023

Irish Grand National The Irish Grand National is a National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 3 miles and 5 furlongs (5, ...

and the 2024 Aintree Grand National on I Am Maximus for Mullins. He is a seven-time Irish jump racing Champion Jockey (2010/11, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21, 2021/22, 2022/23 and 2024/25 seasons).

Early life

Townend (born 15 September 1990) comes from a racing background and grew up on a small farm in east County Cork. His father Tim trains point-to-point horses, his youngest sister Jody is an amateur jockey, and a cousin is retired jockey

Davy Condon Davy Condon (born ~1984/1985) is an Irish people, Irish National hunt racing jockey in Great Britain and Ireland. Condon’s father, Michael Condon, was an amateur jockey. His father rode for Jimmy Murphy (trainer), Jimmy Murphy and Charles Byr ...

. He attended primary school in the village of Lisgoold and then went on to

Midleton CBS Secondary School Midleton CBS Secondary School is a Catholic secondary school for boys, located in Midleton, County Cork, Ireland. Midleton CBS was founded by the Congregation of Christian Brothers in 1867. History The Christian Brothers arrived in Midleton in ...

. While at school, he competed in pony racing. Having lost his mother Josephine to cancer, he left school after junior certificate and became an apprentice at the yard of trainer Willie Mullins, where his cousin was a jockey.

Career

Townend started his racing career riding on the flat. His first win was on The Chip Chopman in an apprentice handicap at

Limerick Limerick ( ; ) is a city in western Ireland, in County Limerick. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and is in the Mid-West Region, Ireland, Mid-West which comprises part of the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. W ...

on 22 June 2007, when he was sixteen. He rode ten winners that season, but switched to riding over fences as a conditional jockey in 2008 due to his weight. In July 2008 he rode Indian Pace to victory in the

Galway Hurdle The Galway Hurdle is a National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Galway over a distance of about 2 miles (2 miles and 11 yards, or 3,229 metres), ...

. There were no more wins until November 2008, when he rode Hurricane Fly to victory in the

Royal Bond Novice Hurdle The Royal Bond Novice Hurdle is a Grade 2 National Hunt racing, National Hunt Hurdling (horse race), hurdle race in Ireland which is open to Horse racing, horses aged four years or older. It is run at Fai ...

on his first ride in a Grade 1 for Mullins. He had been given the ride because Mullins' number one jockey was sidelined with an injury. On New years Eve 2008 he rode out his claim by winning a treble at

Tramore Tramore (; ) is a seaside town in County Waterford, on the southeast coast of Ireland. It has a population of 11,277 as per the 2022 census, the second largest town in the county. Overview Originally a small fishing village, the area saw rapi ...

. He had his first ride in the

Grand National The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England. First run in 1839, it ...

2009 2009 was designated as the International Year of Astronomy by the United Nations to coincide with the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first known astronomical studies with a telescope and the publication of Astronomia Nova by Joha ...

, coming eleventh on Irish Invader. He rode his first

Cheltenham Festival The Cheltenham Festival is a horse racing-based meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National. The four-day festival takes place annually in March at Cheltenham Race ...

winner in 2011, when What A Charm, trained by Arthur Moore, won the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle. That season he became Irish jump racing Champion Jockey for the first time. A bizarre incident in the

Growise Champion Novice Chase The Dooley Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Punchestown over a distance of about 3 miles and ½ furl ...

at the 2018

Punchestown Punchestown Racecourse is located in the parish of Eadestown, between the R410 and R411 regional roads near Naas, County Kildare, in Ireland. It is known as the home of Irish Jumps Racing and plays host to the annual Punchestown Irish Nationa ...

Festival cost Townend a 21 day ban for dangerous riding. Riding Al Boum Photo for Mullins, he had mistakenly thought that the last fence was to be bypassed and carried out another horse. The ban did not take effect until the start of the 2018/19 season, and Townend gained a treble the day after the incident. In March 2019 Townend rode Al Boum Photo in the

Cheltenham Gold Cup The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt horse race run on the New Course at Cheltenham Racecourse in England, over a distance of about 3 miles 2½ furlon ...

, winning by two-and-a-half lengths to give both Townend and Mullins a first win in the race. Later that month, Townend achieved his maiden century, riding his 100th Irish winner at

Clonmel Clonmel () is the county town and largest settlement of County Tipperary, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. The town is noted in Irish history for its resistance to the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland, Cromwellian army which sacked the towns of Dro ...

. At the end of the 2018/19 season he was Irish jump racing Champion Jockey for the second time with 109 winner. When Walsh retired in May 2019, Townend too his place as number one jockey for Mullins. In 2020 Townend became top jockey at the Cheltenham Festival for the first time. He had 5 winners including a second win on Al Boum Photo in Gold Cup. At the end of the 2019/20 season Townend was crowned Irish jump racing Champion Jockey for the third time. He held the title for the next three seasons. He was top jockey at the Cheltenham festival in 2022, 2023 and 2024. In 2022 and 2023 he won the

Queen Mother Champion Chase The Queen Mother Champion Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. As part of a sponsorship agreement with the ...

on Energumene, and in 2023 and 2024 achieved back-to-back victories in the Gold Cup on

, equalling

Pat Taaffe Patrick Taaffe (9 March 1930, Dublin - 7 July 1992, Dublin) was an Irish National Hunt jockey who is best remembered as the jockey of Arkle. The pair dominated National Hunt racing in the mid-sixties, winning the Irish Grand National, the Kin ...

's record of four wins in the race. In 2024 he also won the

Champion Hurdle The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt racing, National Hunt Hurdling (horse race), hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to Horse racing, horses aged four years ...

on State Man. In April 2023, Townend won the

with I Am Maximus, owned by JP McManus and trained by Mullins. The following year, the partnership won the Aintree Grand National. It was Townend's thirteenth ride in the race. He had only completed the course on three occasions, coming eleventh on Irish Invader in 2009, sixteenth on Prince De Beauchene in 2014 and third on Gaillard Du Mesnil in 2023.

Personal life

Townend lives in Co Kilkenny with his girlfriend Sophie Vard Ryan and three Shetland ponies.

Cheltenham Festival winners (38)

Cheltenham Gold Cup The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt horse race run on the New Course at Cheltenham Racecourse in England, over a distance of about 3 miles 2½ furlon ...

- (4) Al Boum Photo (2019, 2020),

(2023, 2024) *

- (2) Energumene (2022, 2023) *

Champion Hurdle The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt racing, National Hunt Hurdling (horse race), hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to Horse racing, horses aged four years ...

- (1) State Man (2024) *

Arkle Challenge Trophy The Arkle Challenge Trophy is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham, England, over a ...

- (3) Duc des Genievres (2019), El Fabiolo (2023), Gaelic Warrior (2024) * Broadway Novices' Chase - (1) Monkfish (2021) *

Supreme Novices' Hurdle The Supreme Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance o ...

- (2) Appreciate It (2021), Kopek Des Bordes (2025) * Gallagher Novices' Hurdle - (3) Sir Gerhard (2022), Impaire Et Passe (2023), Ballyburn (2024) *

Champion Bumper The Champion Bumper is a Grade 1 National Hunt flat race in Great Britain which is open to racing horses aged four to six years. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 m ...

- (1) Ferny Hollow (2020) * David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle - (3) Glens Melody (2015), Lossiemouth (2024, 2025) * Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle - (3)

Penhill Penhill ( high at the trig point, at Height of Hazely) is a prominent hill, south west of Leyburn, in the Pennines, North Yorkshire, England. It forms a ridge that commands the southern side of Wensleydale and the northern side of Coverda ...

(2017), Monkfish (2020), Jasmin De Vaux (2025) *

Stayers' Hurdle The Stayers' Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain. It is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 m ...

- (1)

(2018) *

Triumph Hurdle The Triumph Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and ...

- (3) Burning Victory (2020), Vauban (2022), Lossiemouth (2023) *

Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase The Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase, known for sponsorship purposes as the Paddy's Reward Club Novices' Handicap Chase, is a Listed National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five yea ...

- (1) Irish Cavalier (2015) * Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle - (1) What A Charm (2011) *

County Handicap Hurdle The County Handicap Hurdle is a Premier Handicap National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a dist ...

- (5) Wicklow Brave (2015), Arctic Fire (2017), State Man (2022), Absurde (2024), Kargese (2025) * Liberthine Mares' Chase - (1) Colreevy (2021) * Ryanair Chase - (2) Min (2020), Allaho (2022) * Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle - (1) Laurina (2018)

Major wins

Ireland *

Irish Gold Cup The Irish Gold Cup ( Irish: Corn Óir na hÉireann) is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of ...

- (3)

(2023, 2024, 2025) *

Arkle Novice Chase The Arkle Novice Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles and 1 furlong ...

- (4) Golden Silver (2009),

Footpad In archaic terminology, a footpad is a robber or thief specialising in pedestrian victims. The term was used widely from the 16th century until the 19th century, but gradually fell out of common use. A footpad was considered a low criminal, as op ...

(2018), Energumene (2021), Blue Lord (2022) * Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle - (6) Gaillard Du Mesnil (2021), State Man (2022), Impaire Et Passe (2023), Ballyburn (2024), Final Demand (2025) * Dublin Chase - (4) Chacun Pour Soi (2020, 2021, 2022), El Fabiolo (2024) * Champion Stayers Hurdle - (3) Quevega (2010), Klassical Dream (2022, 2023) *

Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle The Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles (3,219 met ...

- (5) Champagne Fever (2013), Appreciate It (2021), Sir Gerhard (2022), Ballyburn (2024), Kopek Des Bordes (2025) *

Christmas Hurdle The Christmas Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a distance of about 2 miles (3,219 m ...

- (2) Mourad (2010), Klassical Dream (2021) *

Punchestown Gold Cup The Punchestown Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Punchestown over a distance of about 3 miles and ½ furlong (3 miles and 12 ...

- (2) Allaho (2022),

(2025) * Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase - (6) Citizen Vic (2010), Boston Bob (2013), Faugheen (2020), Monkfish (2021), Galopin Des Champs (2022), Ballyburn (2025) * Future Champions Novice Hurdle - (4) Hurricane Fly (2008), Saturnas (2016), Appreciate It (2020), Facile Vega (2022) *

Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle The Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt novice hurdle race in Ireland which is for horses aged five years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles and 6 furlongs ( ...

- (3) Outlander (2015), Gaillard Du Mesnil (2021), Final Demand (2025) *

Greenmount Park Novice Chase The Faugheen Novice Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt race in Ireland. It is run at Limerick Racecourse in late December over a distance of about 2 miles and 3½ furlongs (2 miles 3 furlongs and 160 yards, or ...

- (1) Bellshill (2016) * Hatton's Grace Hurdle - (2) Hurricane Fly (2010), Lossiemouth (2024) * Fort Leney Novice Chase - (3) Monkfish (2020), Gaillard Du Mesnil (2022), Grangeclare West (2023) *

Champion Four Year Old Hurdle The Champion Four Year Old Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years. It is run at Punchestown over a distance of about 2 miles (3,219 metres), and during its ...

- (3) Vauban (2022), Lossiemouth (2023), Kargese (2024) * John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase - (2) Min (2019), Galopin Des Champs (2022) *

Herald Champion Novice Hurdle The KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Punchestown over a distance of about 2 miles ½ furlong (2 miles and 100 ...

- (2) Blackstairmountain (2010), Facile Vega (2023) *

Irish Champion Hurdle The Irish Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 2 miles (3,219 metres), and ...

- (4) Hurricane Fly (2011), State Man (2023, 2024, 2025) * Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle - (8) Marasonnien (2012), Killultagh Vic (2015), Next Destination (2018), Galopin Des Champs (2021), The Nice Guy (2022), Gaelic Warrior (2023), Dancing City (2024), Jasmin De Vaux (2025) * Mares Champion Hurdle -(8) Tarla (2010), Glens Melody (2013), Whiteout (2016), Benie Des Dieux (2018, 2019), Echoes In Rain (2023), Lossiemouth (2024), Jade De Grugy (2025) *

Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final The Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to mares aged four years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse Racecourse over a distance of about 2 miles and ...

- (6) Adriana Des Mottes (2014), Laurina (2018), Brandy Love (2022), Ashroe Diamond (2023), Jade De Grugy (2024), Aurora Vega (2025) *

Morgiana Hurdle The Morgiana Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt racing, National Hunt Hurdling (horse race), hurdle race in Ireland which is open to Horse racing, horses aged four years or older. It is run at Pun ...

-(4) Faugheen (2017), Sharjah (2018), State Man (2022,2023) * Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase - (3) Golden Silver (2009), Twinlight (2014), Chacun Pour Soi (2020) *

Punchestown Champion Chase The Punchestown Champion Chase, currently known for sponsorship purposes as the William Hill Champion Chase, is a Grade 1 National Hunt racing, National Hunt Steeplechase (horse racing), steeplechase in Ireland whi ...

-(5) Golden Silver (2010), Un de Sceaux (2019), Chacun Pour Soi (2021), Energumene (2022, 2023) *

Punchestown Champion Hurdle The Punchestown Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Punchestown over a distance of about 2 miles (3,219 metres), and duri ...

-(4) Hurricane Fly (2010), State Man (2023, 2024, 2025) * Racing Post Novice Chase - (3) Blackstairmountain (2011), Arvika Ligeonniere (2012), Ferny Hollow (2021) *

-(3) Hurricane Fly (2008), Zaidpour (2010), Nichols Canyon (2014) *

December Festival Hurdle The December Festival Hurdle, currently known by its sponsored title of the Matheson Hurdle, is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It i ...

- (4) Hurricane Fly (2010), Unaccompanied (2011), State Man (2022, 2023) *

Ryanair Novice Chase The Barberstown Castle Novice Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt racing, National Hunt Steeplechase (horse racing), Steeplechase in Ireland which is open to Horse racing, horses aged five years or older. It is run at ...

- (3) Energumene (2021), Blue Lord (2022), El Fabiolo (2023) *

Savills Chase The Savills Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 3 miles (4,828 metres), and ...

- (2)

(2023, 2024) *

Slaney Novice Hurdle The Slaney Novice Hurdle, currently known for sponsorship purposes as the Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle, is a Grade One National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland. It is run in January at Naas Racecourse, ...

- (2) Mckinley (2015), Next Destination (2018) *

Spring Juvenile Hurdle The Spring Juvenile Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland. It is run at Leopardstown Racecourse in February, over a distance of 2 miles. The race is restricted to four-year-old horses on ...

- (3) Unaccompanied (2011), Mr Adjudicator (2018), Vauban (2022) * Boylesports Gold Cup - (1)

(2022) ----

Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-west coast of continental Europe, consisting of the countries England, Scotland, and Wales. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the List of European ...

* Aintree Hurdle - (2) Impaire Et Passe (2024), Lossiemouth (2025) * Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle- (1) Murcia (2025) *

Clarence House Chase The Clarence House Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Ascot over a distance of about 2 miles and 1 furlong ( ...

- (1) Un de Sceaux (2018) *

King George VI Chase The King George VI Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Kempton Park over a dis ...

- (1) Banbridge (2024) * Maghull Novices' Chase - (1) Douvan (2016) *

Manifesto Novices' Chase The Manifesto Novices' Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (2 miles, 3 fur ...

- (2) Il Etait Temps (2024), Impaire Et Passe (2025) *

Melling Chase The Melling Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (4,023 m ...

- (1) Boston Bob (2014) * Mersey Novices' Hurdle - (1) Yorkhill (2016) *

Sefton Novices' Hurdle The Sefton Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Aintree over a distance of about 3 miles and hal ...

- (1) Dancing City (2024) * Top Novices' Hurdle - (1) Salvator Mundi (2025) *

Grand National The Grand National is a National Hunt horse race held annually at Aintree Racecourse in Aintree, Merseyside, England. First run in 1839, it ...

- (1) I Am Maximus (2024) ---- United States *

Iroquois Steeplechase The Iroquois Steeplechase (also known as the Iroquois Hurdle Stakes) is an American Grade I NSA sanctioned steeplechase race run the second Saturday of May every year at Percy Warner Park in Nashville, Tennessee. The race dates back to 1941 an ...

– (1) Scaramanga (2023) ---- France * Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil - (1) Benie des Dieux (2019)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Townend, Paul Living people 1990 births Irish jockeys Equestrians from County Cork