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Top female jockey turned politician tipped for Grand National fairytale in comeback

Seven-time Cheltenham-winning MEP Nina Carberry will get back in the saddle for a charity race - and bookies reckon she could have another tilt at the world's most famous horse race

[Nina Carberry after winning the Crabbie's Fox Hunters' Chase on On The Fringe at Grand National meeting in 2015]

Nina Carberry after winning the Crabbie's Fox Hunters' Chase on On The Fringe at Grand National meeting in 2015(Image: PA)

Jockey turned politician Nina Carberry is being tipped to deliver the ultimate Grand National fairytale - by making one of racing's most astonishing comebacks.

The 42-year-old multiple Cheltenham-winner will swap a Parliamentary three-line-whip for a riding crop as she gets back in the saddle for a charity race later this month.

And bookmakers are backing her to make a full-time comeback in the worlds most famous race. Nina - the sister-in-law of legendary jockey Ruby Walsh - was herself one of the biggest names in racing.

She became the first woman jump jockey to win a top level Grade 1 race in Britain or Ireland when she romped home on Leading Run in the 2006 Champion Bumper at the Punchestown Festival.

[Nina]

Jockey Nina Carberry and Pasquale La Rocca during Ireland's Dancing With The Stars

Nina rode seven Cheltenham winners and landed the Irish Grand National aboard Organisedconfusion in 2011.

Though she made six attempts at the English version at Aintree she never managed better than seventh.

She did win her first race back after becoming a mum in 2017 before quitting the sport - apparently for good - the following year.

Since then she has gone on to win Ireland's Dancing With The Stars in 2022 and become a Member of the European Parliament.

But the mother-of-two is returning to her true love - the turf.

On August 29 she will line up against 18 others at the 1m 4f Pat Smullen charity race at The Curragh in Ireland.

It is held in honour of the memory of late jockey Smullen who died from pancreatic cancer aged just 43 in 2020.

And bookies Ladbrokes reckon Nina will be bitten by the racing bug again.

They make Nina a 25-1 shot ride at next years Cheltenham Festival - and 100-1 to take on the Grand National.

[Rachael Blackmore celebrates after riding Minella Times to win The Randox Grand National Handicap Chase at Aintree Racecourse]

Rachael Blackmore celebrates after winning the Grand National (Image: Getty)

A victory for the comeback queen in the big race would ensure there would be barely a dry eye among 600 million tuning in from around the world to watch.

Nicola McGeady, of Ladbrokes, said Ninas comeback had excited and intrigued racing fans.

Nina Carberry's return to the saddle has understandably captured the imagination of racing fans, she said.

It's got punters wondering whether this could be the start of an even bigger comeback.

Every jockey taking part in the charity contest will do so in memory of a family member or pal they lost to cancer or to support someone living with the disease.

The raceday and an associated bike ride have raised more than 1million for Cancer Trials Ireland since 2019.

Smullens widow Frances said: The support we continue to see for this day is simply amazing.

All the charity riders and cyclists who dedicate their time and train so hard for such an important cause is really heartwarming.

Their incredible effort, courage, and spirit is so special to my family and I. Together you are continuing Pats legacy by helping Cancer Trials Ireland bring real hope to families facing this disease.

Racing fans are desperate to see another top woman jockey triumph in the National following Rachael Blackmores retirement last year days after she came third on Minella Indo.

Rachael, 37, remains the only woman ever to win the race on Minella Times in 2021

She and her jockey husband Brian Hayes welcomed their first child Bowie into the world three months ago.

Rachael too has already been spotted back on the gallops riding out for boss Henry de Bromhead.

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