Meet the world’s tallest jockey – giant Jack Andrews towers over horses and is more than a foot taller than his rivals

LOOK around the parade ring next time you go racing and there will be one figure who is literally head and shoulders above the rest.

That’s because giant Jack Andrews is believed to be the world’s tallest jockey, standing an imposing 6ft 4ins and even towering over the horses!

Most jockeys need a leg up to get on top a horse – while Jack stands taller than them

The 24-year-old, based in Warwick, had lofty ambitions growing up, dreaming like most of one day being champion jockey.

But a rapid growth spurt between the ages of 17 and 18 left him thinking a career in the saddle might be just a tall tale.

Fast forward six years however, and the amateur jockey has ridden a £13,000 winner at Cheltenham in the shape of Anightinlambourn.

That success was followed up last weekend with Xcitations, a Class 2 winner worth £16,000 on Sandown’s star-studded Tolworth Hurdle card.

Weighing more than 10st and being the size he is, every pound helps Jack, so the three he can claim as an amateur is a huge ace up the sleeve of shrewd trainers.

But they’re also getting a man who really knows how to handle a horse.

He might be their equal vertically, but weighing 500kg and capable of reaching 40mph – the horses, not Jack – it takes every bit of strength to keep them under control.

Such skill has seen him amass a very tidy £77,000 in winnings for connections this National Hunt season.

And though he concedes some of the big rides will go to the pros, he is proving an exceptional back-up.

But lugging that big frame around comes with its own drawbacks, including a strictly regimented diet.

Jack told Sun Racing: “I don’t know of anyone riding under rules who is taller than me.

“But I’m very self-critical and constantly trying to make myself better, especially with my riding.

“The biggest compliment anyone can give me is that I don’t look big on a horse.

“But for my diet, I have to have a daily routine to keep my weight down. Gaining weight is an issue but I keep it under control.

“I’ll have a coffee on my way to work then a yogurt, fruit and some granola for breakfast.

Tallest jockeys currently racing

James Doyle – 5ft 9ins

Adam Kirby – 5ft 11ins

Ali Rawlinson – 5ft 11ins

Ryan Mania – 5ft 11ins

Davy Russell – 5ft 11ins

Jack Andrews – 6ft 4ins

“Lunch is a yogurt bar and a banana, while dinner is some protein like chicken and another yogurt – I eat every meal, just not a lot.

“That being said, when I have a cheat day and go out I eat properly! I don’t pick salads, that’s for sure. I go all out.”

That commitment to his trade means Andrews – whose sister Bridget is married to Harry Skelton – can more than hold his own in the weighing room.

Jack’s other sister Gina, who he runs his point-to-point business with, rode Anightinlambourn to a half-length second before Jack took the reins last November.

Jack towers over brother-in-law Harry Skelton

Sent off 5-1 he powered home in the amateur contest at the home of jumping, beating top Irish amateur Rob James.

It was the same at Sandown on Pam Sly’s Xcitations.

A winner over Elixir De Nutz on his previous run, the eight-year-old gelding smashed the well-regarded Corrigeen Rock by nine lengths.

Trailing behind were big-time jockeys Charlie Deutsch, Adam Wedge and Sam Twiston-Davies.

So there, out in front, was Jack, looking down on the rest.

Well, it wouldn’t be the first time.

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