Niall Madden strikes gold in Leger Legends thriller
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Fri 11 Sep 2026
Grand National-winning jockey Niall ‘Slippers’ Madden got a fine tune out of the running-on Tolstoy to claim the Betfred Leger Legends race at Doncaster.
It was 20 years ago that the 40-year-old Irishman claimed Aintree glory aboard Martin Brassil’s Numbersixvalverde, but this time around he was tackling the straight mile of Town Moor rather than 30 fences on Merseyside.
Sent off at 8-1 aboard Brian Ellison’s veteran of over 50 races, Madden was the epitome of patience as he allowed the action to play out ahead before conjuring up a fine winning run inside the final furlong.
He stormed on to a half-length victory over Feel The Need and fellow ex-jumps pilot Jimmy McCarthy, while third was the Adam Kirby-trained and ridden 7-2 joint-favourite Caragio.
Madden said: “That was brilliant, you never miss that buzz. I rode in the race last year and Andrew (Thornton) asked me straight away if I wanted to do it again and I said I would.
“I had the whole family over last year but none of them have come this time, so I won’t be asking them again!
“Brian told me he had a good chance going out and that he’d be coming home strong, just don’t get there too soon and he loved the ground. When I asked him for the extra he gave it to me.
“No matter what race you win the feeling is brilliant and riding with those other former jockeys was great.
“It was like riding a bit of work for me with no jumps!”
McCarthy admitted he thought he had sealed victory before Madden’s late surge.
“For a minute (I thought I’d won). I was probably in front maybe 25 yards too soon – they couldn’t take me any further and when I was there I had to go,” he said.
“Ideally I’d have waited a bit longer if I had something to take me and I might have nicked it then.
“Hopefully it looked better than it felt!”
Kirby also felt he had gone to the front too soon, saying: “I thought I was doing the right thing, at least it was a charity thing, I won’t lose any sleep! The race was very smooth and I could have done with more of a gallop to be honest.
“It is what it is, I probably committed him too soon, but there you go.”
The Leger Legends annually raises vital funds for the The Injured Jockeys Fund and Jack Berry House and this year featured the recently-retired Joe Fanning, Tom Scudamore from the jumping ranks and even JJ Hamblett of Union J pop fame.
It was also set to feature the British comeback of Frankie Dettori, who subsequently had to pull out of the race due to the injuries he sustained in a car accident earlier this summer.
When asked if he hopes to ride in next year’s renewal, the Italian said: “If I’m all right yes, but 12 months is a long time in life!
“It’s great to see all these guys and girls. Jack has been a pioneer of the Injured Jockeys Fund, so we’re here to support it.”
On the continued popularity and success of the fundraising contest, Berry added: “It’s absolutely brilliant, it’s great for them (the jockeys) to come out of retirement.
“The Injured Jockeys Fund have had over £1million out of the race over the years, so it’s done us a lot of good.”
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