Nina Carberry

Irish National Hunt jockey who became one of the most successful female riders in horse racing history, winning five Cheltenham Festival races.

Born on February 5, 1982, into one of Ireland's most prominent racing families, Nina Carberry was destined for equestrian excellence. Her father Tommy Carberry was a legendary jockey who won the Grand National twice, while her uncle Arthur "Duke" Carberry also enjoyed a successful racing career. This rich heritage provided her with unparalleled exposure to the sport from childhood, developing the foundational skills and understanding that would define her professional career. Carberry's professional riding career flourished throughout the 2000s and 2010s, establishing her as Ireland's premier female National Hunt jockey. She achieved remarkable success at the Cheltenham Festival, securing five victories including an unprecedented four consecutive wins in the cross-country chase between 2011 and 2014. Her partnership with Garde Champetre proved particularly fruitful, with the mare carrying her to three of those cross-country victories. Beyond Cheltenham, Carberry consistently demonstrated her versatility across different race types and distances, competing successfully against both male and female jockeys at the highest level of the sport. Her achievements extended beyond individual race wins to broader recognition within the racing community. Carberry claimed the title of National Hunt Champion Female Jockey multiple times, reflecting her sustained excellence throughout her career. She became synonymous with big-race performances, regularly featuring prominently in major handicaps and graded contests across Ireland and Britain. Her ability to maintain competitive standards across more than a decade of professional racing distinguished her from many contemporaries. Carberry's retirement in 2018 marked the end of an era for women's participation in Irish National Hunt racing. Her success broke significant barriers and inspired a new generation of female jockeys to pursue careers in a traditionally male-dominated sport. Her legacy lies not only in her statistical achievements but in demonstrating that female jockeys could compete consistently at the sport's highest level, fundamentally changing perceptions within the racing industry and encouraging greater female participation in professional horse racing.

Fearless and tactical rider with exceptional race-reading ability

Broke barriers for women in National Hunt racing and inspired next generation of female jockeys

• Cheltenham Festival winner x5
• National Hunt Champion Female Jockey
• Retired 2018 after distinguished career