Forgotten Grand National hero who had world at his feet but retired at 25 bounces back with nine wins from nine rides
A FORGOTTEN Grand National hero who had the world at his feet but retired at 25 has bounced back with nine wins from his last nine completed rides.
Ryan Mania won the world's most famous race on 66-1 outsider Auroras Encore in 2013.
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.
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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
READ MORE SUN STORIES
1st Massini Man 11-4 - Musselburgh
£5,000
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