Charlie Swan made history at Listowel yesterday when he rode winner number 1,000 of his illustrious career, confirming his position as easily the most successful Irish-based jump jockey ever.
Swan (29) hit the mark when the 6 to 1 shot Rainbow Frontier won the Devon Inn Juvenile Hurdle and the popular eight-times champion returned to tumultuous applause which he acknowledged with a Frankie Dettori style flying leap from the saddle.
As he made his way, saddle in hand, to weigh in, a bottle of champagne was thrust into Swan's arms and he was embraced by his wife Tina and his mother Teresa.
"It hasn't really sunk in yet but it's wonderful," Swan laughed. "When I got to 700, my ambition was to reach the 1,000. I remember how big a deal it was when John Francome did it in England but it's great to do it in this country."
Swan's total includes the 58 winners he rode on the flat and he said his immediate aim was to bring up a total of 1,000 jump winners. "I've yet to win a Gold Cup, a Champion Hurdle or a Grand National and one of them would be nice," Swan, dismissing any notions of retirement, added.
The rider who won on his first ever mount, Final Assault at Naas in March 1983, also had a winner on his first ride over jumps when Barna Beauty won over hurdles at Clonmel in 1985, a prelude to a spectacularly successful career.
The highlights include 11 Cheltenham Festival winners and two awards in 1993 and 1994 for being the leading rider at the March extravaganza.
"When I think back to the first one it doesn't seem that long ago and now it's 1,000. I thought the penalty my horse had to carry today would beat him but when I was at Aidan's (O'Brien's) last week I heard a horse squealing, he was so well and I asked the lads who he was. When they said it was Rainbow Frontier, I just thought hmm," grinned Swan.
"From now on I'm going to be choosey enough about what I ride. I'll ride a novice chaser if I think it can win but at this stage I don't feel I have to ride no-hopers. I've had my share of broken bones, but touch wood, nothing major. Which is the worst thing to say!" he added.
How apt that worry is was illustrated in the Beginners Chase when nine of the 16 runners fell.
