Ross Geraghty is US champion jump jockey

Drumree jockey Ross Geraghty has been crowned champion jump jockey in America, in his third season there. The rider's total of just 17 was enough to see him come out on top by three from his nearest rival Darren Nagle as the curtain came down at Springdale racecourse in Camden, in a country where racing is limited. Geraghty, 35, an older brother of top jump jockey Barry, enjoyed his biggest success on The Bunny Boiler in the 2002 Irish Grand National. "We knew for the last few weeks he was champion jockey-elect because he was a few winners ahead and there weren't that many meetings left, so we were watching his progress," said his father, Tucker who trains at Pelletstown, Drumree. "There's just a small pocket of jump racing there, but there's good prize money in it. Things got pretty competitive over here and he was offered a job there three years ago, he took it and has made good progress. Initially he was with Tom Voss and had a great time the first year. He made other contacts in the area and he rides mainly now for Irv Naylor. He's the leading owner over there and he buys a lot of horses from the UK and Ireland, those just short of top class. One is Black Jack Blues that was second to Oscar Whisky in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. Now he's established, he's getting lots of outside rides as well. There might only have a meeting once a week or every two weeks and there might be a big Flat card with a couple of jump races on it, so there are limited opportunities.