Forgotten Grand National hero who had world at his feet but retired at 25 bounces back with nine wins from nine rides

"It's a little bit emotional."

Chuffed-to-pieces @mania450 is now unbeaten in NINE rides from as many completed races after Massini Man shows the way home @MusselburghRace for @LambdenRacing pic.twitter.com/0VEWbgQHoZ

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 3, 2023

Mania retired a year after winning the Grand National – but has bounced back with nine wins from nine completed rides

He retired a year later aged just 25, citing difficulties keeping his weight down.

But he came back to the sport in 2019 having found his love for it again.

And a further four years on he has hit the heights as arguably the world’s hottest jockey.

Mania won all nine of his past nine completed rides – not including those where he pulled up or fell.

His amazing form figures, dating back to December 29, read: 1-1-PU-1-1-PU-1-1-F-1-1-1.

That astonishing run came to an end with defeat in the closing bumper at Musselburgh on Tuesday.

But, in truth, that failed to dampen an amazing sequence of victories.

Six of those winners came for Scottish trainer Sandy Thomson, the former rugby player.

The last of them was 11-4 Massini Man in the Fitzdares Handicap Chase at Musselburgh on Tuesday.

And Mania told Racing TV afterwards: “It’s a little bit emotional because it’s been a great festive period for me and for Sandy [Thomson] who I predominantly ride for.

“It’s just great to have some winners and great that the horses are running well.

“I’m just trying to look forward to the next one, trying to ignore it and just focus on the job.

“It’ll end at some point but so long as the horses keep running well, that’s all you can ask for.”

Ryan Mania’s nine winners from nine completed rides

December 29

1st Carcaci Castle 7-4 – Kelso

£5,000

December 30

1st War Soldier 2-1 – Haydock

£7,000

December 31

1st Bak Rocky 5-1 – Uttoxeter

£9,000

January 1

1st Bringbackmemories 13-8 – Musselburgh

£4,000

1st Large Action 25-1 – Musselburgh

£4,000

1st Benson 2-1 – Musselburgh

£11,000

January 2

1st Donna’s Double 100-30 – Ayr

£5,000

1st Storm Nelson 6-5 – Ayr

£11,000

January 3

1st Massini Man 11-4 – Musselburgh

£5,000