THE Grand National will take place this Saturday – as the world of horse racing gears up for Aintree’s featured race.
Many jockeys will be eyeing up the huge £500,000 jackpot – including amateur David Maxwell.
David Maxwell will ride his own horse in the Grand National this yearGETTY
Who is Grand National jockey David Maxwell?
David Maxwell is a 45-year-old property developer/amateur jockey and horse owner.
He is the founder and CEO of construction company DPK and has led a team that has navigated over £1billion in commercial real estate transactions.
As a jockey, Maxwell has ridden 69 winners during his career in racing, which spans from 2006 to the present day.
Over the years, he has earned approximately £566,000 from being an amateur jockey.
Maxwell’s biggest winner came at the 2018 Prix Morgex at Auteuil, winning a cool £58,000.
The 45-year-old is now set to take place in the biggest race of his career, the Grand National.
Maxwell bought Ain’t That A Shame in March this year and is set to ride the 10-year-old in Aintree‘s featured race.
What did David Maxwell say about riding Ain’t That A Shame in Grand National?
Maxwell says he has to ‘keep his excitement in check’ as he attempts to follow in the footsteps of other amateur winners of the National like Sam Waley-Cohen and Marcus Armytage.
He said: “They are hard to find, these National horses, they don’t often get sold but this lad was available so it was a no-brainer.
“I was shooting in Ireland and I asked one of the guys I was with to keep an eye out for a National horse for me – two days later he rang and said he had one for me.
“He has a weight I can do, 10st 9lb, but I will be hungry for a few weeks before Aintree.
“He is a nice safe jumper, my sole concern was that he is quite strong, he pulled Rachael Blackmore’s arms out a couple of times.
“But they go plenty quick enough in the National and we should get a lot of cover, so it should be fine. I’ll hold on tight.
“He will be a lovely horse for veterans chases next year, as well. So it’s an investment for the next couple of seasons.”
What horses is David Maxwell riding at Aintree?
As previously mentioned, Maxwell will ride Ain’t That A Shame in the Grand National this year.
He is also set to ride Cat Tiger in the Randoz Foxhunters’ Open Hunters’ Chase on Thursday at Aintree.
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