57-year-old jockey says he's riding 'better than ever' after first York win in five years

One of Britain’s oldest jockeys has no plans to retire insisting he is riding better than ever after winning for the first time at York in five years.

John Egan, 57, has ridden more than 1,100 winners in Britain, became a Classic-winning jockey on Indian Haven in the 2003 Irish 2,000 Guineas as well as scoring a famous sprint double when Les Arcs won the Golden Jubilee Stakes and July Cup in 2006. Nowadays he is better known as the son of top jockey David Egan, who is Amo Racing’s retained rider, with his opportunities much reduced.

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Daughter Alexandra Egan, 20, whose uncle is former champion jockey turned trainer Richard Hughes, has just started out on her own jockey career and has ridden four winners from ten rides.

With John Egan's opportunities having diminished, he has ridden ten winners from 100 mounts in 2025, three more winners than he managed in 2024.

Egan made his one and only appearance at the York Ebor Festival in the £120,000 Sky Bet Handicap but made sure it counted by steering 16-1 chance Asgard’s Captain, trained by Dylan Cunha, with son David back in fifth on Champagne Prince.

The jockey was referred to the BHA’s Whip Review Committee after he exceeded the whip strike limit by one which is likely to result in a ban.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here in the winners’ enclosure at York,” said Egan. “Dylan said, ‘Go on, this could be your last chance to ride a winner at York’.

“It’s brilliant to ride against David. In a race it actually doesn’t make that much difference. It’s another competitor though you probably want to beat them that much more.

“Alexandra has come over and has made such a great start. Jane Chapple-Hyam has been a big help. She wants to learn. She is very conscientious. I think she will do well.”

Of his own future he added: “I’m 57 but I feel I am riding better than I was in my mid-30s. When I was in my mid-30s I went out, I smoked and I didn’t go to the gym. I don’t do any of those things but I do go to the gym, so why wouldn’t I be better, with experience as well?

“You can’t beat experience. Sometimes it makes up for a lot of things."