Commercial content | New Customers Only | Wagering and Terms and conditions apply | 18+ | Play Responsibly
Aidan is a Jump jockey born in Innishannon, Cork, Ireland, on 17th August back in 1988. By the time he was 19 years old, Aidan was one of the youngest riders to be picked as a starter of the prestigious Grand National horse racing tournament. He went pro at 21 years old and to date, he has had more than 2000 rides on the yard and counting.
Aidan’s Grand National Career
Aidan started his career over a decade ago in 2006. Two years later, in 2008, Aidan Coleman Grand National jockey made his debut, riding on Mon Mome at the tender age of 19.
By April 2009, Aidan outdid himself by winning the Conditional Championship, and that is when his career took off. He became the top Conditional jockey in the United Kingdom for the 2008 season, that brought him out of the shadows for many Grand National pundits as well.
But then again, just like the majority of Conditional jockeys launching their pro careers, it took some time before he started getting booked more frequently. That’s because high profile trainers are often rather critical of newbies, giving them enough time to sharpen their skills.
Aidan was thus honed through contending in minor events, as his trainers never took any uncalled-for risks on their higher quality horses with new blood. Usually, for this sport, unless the talent is exceptionally evident from the beginning, trainers prefer taking things slow to nurture their jockeys. Sure enough, as good as he is today, it took him some time before he could perfect his skills as a Grand National jockey.
Fortunately, he was a swift learner, and by 2012, he was ready for action. The Grand National jockey registered 91 wins in a single year and got closer to 100 wins the next season (in 2017). Since 2014, the jockey has had over 100 wins year after year, and as we speak, he is well on the right track to bag the achievement yet again this season.
If there is something that is missing from his CV, however, is a win in a grade one race. As a pro Grand National contender, he has made 89 attempts to date without emerging the winner, with 13 finishes on the podium. On the other hand, Aidan has won 42 pattern races and 14 of them have come in group two races.
From the look of things, there are high chances that he will become the jockey to beat sooner rather than later, if you want to get those higher chances . For starters, Venetia Williams, his trainer has been acquiring horses of better quality. Moreover, Aidan has also been receiving support from other remarkable instructors like C Lavelle, and Jonjo Oneil. The tracks where Aidan Coleman Grand National rides best are; Worcester with 45 wins, Uttoxeter with 46 wins, and Stratford, which is his best with 47 wins.
Trivia
This Grand National Jockey, attained a milestone 1,000 wins with victory aboard Western Miller this year (2019). He steered the Charlie Longsdon-coached 8-year old to success in the Timmy Cup Handicap Chase, joining an exclusive group of jockeys who have managed to ride such a number of winners. Aidan Coleman Grand National said to Racing TV that although it took him more than 12 years, it remains a great achievement to him. He says it’s a massive personal milestone to be in the ‘1000’ club.
Did you know that Aidan is the younger brother to Kevin Coleman, who is also a jockey in the Irish National Hunt? Kevin’s popularity soared when won the Galway Plate, one of the most prestigious thoroughbred tournaments back in 2008.
Wins
An admired jockey, Aidan Coleman, also jockeyed for Tim Vaughan, and after a short whip ban in early 2011, he was back winning his first race at Chepstow.
Aidan has competed in all the last 6 Grand Nationals to date. Within the past 5 seasons, Coleman has had more than 1000 races winning 16% of the chase starts. Overall, he has earned more than 1 million pounds for connections through all of his races. Some of his biggest career wins are:
- Long Walk Hurdle – Paisley Park (2018)
- Stayers’ Hurdle – Paisley Park (2019)
Parting Shot
As we edge closer to the 173rd installment of the Grand National in 2020, we are eager to see what Coleman has in store for us. Will it be the season that will finally put him at the top of the podium in a grade one race? We all can’t wait to find out!
