Born: July 19, 1984
Nina Carberry is a retired Irish female National Hunt jockey who achieved great success in her racing career. Born on July 19, 1984, she hails from a racing family and is the daughter of jockey Tommy Carberry.
Carberry’s talent and dedication to horse racing were evident from a young age. In 2005, she secured her first Cheltenham Festival win aboard Dabiroun in the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle. This victory was significant as it marked the first time in 18 years that a female jockey had won a race at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival.
Continuing her winning streak, Carberry became the Irish Qualified Rider Champion in the 2005/2006 season, a title she successfully defended the following season. Her prowess in the saddle was further showcased at the Cheltenham Festival, where she claimed the Cross Country Handicap Chase in 2007 with Heads Onthe Ground. She went on to secure back-to-back wins in the same race in 2008 and 2009 aboard Garde Champetre, making her the first jockey to achieve such a feat. In 2016, Carberry clinched her fourth victory in the Cross Country Handicap Chase with Josies Orders. However, the win was marred by the disqualification of Any Currency.
Carberry’s success extended beyond the Cheltenham Festival. She triumphed in the St James’s Place Foxhunter Chase in 2015 and 2016, riding On the Fringe. These victories solidified her position as a leading female jockey and showcased her exceptional skill and determination.
In 2011, Carberry achieved another milestone in her career by winning the Irish Grand National aboard Organisedconfusion. Trained by her uncle Arthur Moore, she became only the second woman rider to claim victory in this historic race.
Throughout her career, Carberry competed in the Grand National six times, successfully completing the challenging course on four occasions. Her best result came in 2010 when she finished in seventh place riding Character Building. Her participation in this prestigious race highlighted her resilience and ability to tackle one of the toughest tests in horse racing.
Aside from her racing career, Carberry also took on additional roles within the horse racing industry. In 2013, she became a racing assistant to Noel Meade, further showcasing her dedication to the sport. Additionally, she rode out for renowned trainer Aidan O’Brien during the summer months in 2015.
Beyond the racetrack, Carberry’s personal life is intertwined with racing as well. Her older siblings, Philip and Paul, are also successful Irish riders, cementing the Carberry family’s legacy in the sport. In February 2012, she married Ted Walsh Junior, son of former jockey and Aintree National winning trainer Ted Walsh. Her brother-in-law is the renowned jockey Ruby Walsh, and her sister-in-law is the accomplished Irish ex-jockey Katie Walsh.
In November 2016, Carberry announced that she was expecting her first child and would be taking a break from racing for the remainder of the 2016/2017 National Hunt season. She welcomed her daughter Rosie in May 2017 and later gave birth to another daughter named Holly in 2020.
Carberry’s talents and accomplishments have not only been recognized within the racing community but also in the media. In 2013, she appeared on the documentary series The Irish Road to Cheltenham, which was broadcasted on RTÉ One television in Ireland.
In 2022, Carberry once again displayed her versatility and determination by winning the fifth series of Dancing With the Stars Ireland. Her ability to transition from the racetrack to the dance floor showcased her remarkable athleticism and adaptability.
Today, Carberry continues to contribute to the horse racing world as a coach in Ireland’s Fittest Family, further solidifying her role as a prominent figure in the industry.
Awards:
– Cheltenham Festival wins: Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (2005)
– Irish Qualified Rider Champion (2005/2006, 2006/2007)
– Cross Country Handicap Chase wins at Cheltenham Festival (2007, 2008, 2009, 2016)
– St James’s Place Foxhunter Chase wins at Cheltenham Festival (2015, 2016)
– Irish Grand National win (2011)
– Winner of the fifth series of Dancing With the Stars Ireland (2022)