Jody Townend

Jody Townend (born 27 December 1997) is an Irish jockey who competes as an amateur in National Hunt racing and flat racing.

Background

Townend comes from a racing background. She is the daughter of point-to-point trainer Tim Townend; youngest sister of jockey Paul Townend; and cousin of former jockey Davy Condon. She grew up in Lisgoold in County Cork and started riding at a young age, later taking part in show jumping and eventing. In November 2015, she had her first ride in a point-to-point race and won on King Willie, trained by her father. After leaving school, she joined her brother at the yard of trainer Willie Mullins, having previously worked there in the summer holidays.

On 18 July 2020, Townend rode the future Group 1 winner Princess Zoe to win the Kildare Village Ladies Derby Handicap at the Curragh. She achieved her first graded race victory when Grangee, trained by Mullins, won the Grade 2 Mares' Bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival in February 2021. At the end of the 2020/21 season she was crowned Champion Lady Amateur Rider, a title she would retain for the following four seasons. A month later Redemption Day provided her with her first Grade 1 success when he won the Champion Bumper at Punchestown.

Townend secured her first win at the Cheltenham Festival in March 2025 when Bambino Fever won the Champion Bumper to give Mullins his fourteenth win in the race. She said: "I'm beyond cloud nine. I can't believe it and it'll take a long time to sink in.... I've grown up watching Paul ride winners round here and I'm really happy."

Cheltenham Festival winner Champion Bumper - (1) Bambino Fever (2025)

Other major wins Ireland Champion INH Flat Race - (2) Redemption Day (2024), Bambino Fever (2025)