McCullagh enjoys winner at Gowran Park
Now in his 41st year as a jockey, Niall McCullagh rode his first winner of the new flat season in Gowran Park on Wednesday Photo: ©INPHO/Tom Maher
He’s been the oldest slinger in the weigh room for quite a while now but Niall McCullagh is showing no signs of slowing down.
2026 is incredibly his 41st year with a jockey’s licence and on Wednesday in Gowran Park, his local track, he rode his first winner of the new flat season on 12/1 shot Survivor's Code for trainer Conor Maxwell.
A month short of his 57th birthday, McCullagh still retains all his enthusiasm and love for the sport, as shown in the interview below with Racing TV’s Fran Berry.
McCullagh received a Special Recognition award at the Nationalist Sports Star Awards earlier this year in light of his decades of service as a jockey, and also for the work he does with RACE in training up the next generation of jockeys.
Thursday is just another day of work for the veteran and he has another ride at Gowran today for the Margaret Mullins trained Eagle’s Quest in the 6.45pm race.
Niall McCullagh - in his 41st year with a jockey's licence and still riding winners! 👏 @GowranPark1 pic.twitter.com/Gfe4dZsdQI
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) April 8, 2026
