Robbie Power had an excellent riding career before retiring from the sport in 2022. Power landed a small number of Cheltenham Festival wins and won the Grand National once during his career, which came in 2007 aboard Silver Birch.
Born on May 27th, 1982, the Grand National win came at precisely the right moment in his career. This really propelled Power into the big time, becoming a jockey in demand in Ireland, and many years after that, he moved to the UK to ride and was still in demand then, with many trainers wanting him to ride their horses.
He won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2017 on Sizing John and also won the Punchestown Gold Cup just over a month later on the same horse. However, it was the big day in April 2007 that will remain the career highlight of Power.
Robbie Power Grand National Wins
- 2007 - Silver Birch trained by Gordon Elliott
Full Results
| Year | Horse | Result | Prize Money | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Poker Party | Fence 26 - Pulled Up | - | Henry De Bromhead |
| 2021 | Magic of Light | Fence 4 - Unseated Rider | - | Mrs John Harrington |
| 2019 | Jury Duty | Fence 19 - Unseated Rider | - | Gordon Elliott |
| 2018 | Raz De Maree | 10 | £5,000 | Gavin Cromwell |
| 2017 | Regal Encore | 8 | £3,600 | Anthony Honeyball |
| 2016 | Gilgamboa | 4 | £52,700 | Enda Bolger |
| 2015 | Owega Star | 13 | - | Peter Fahey |
| 2013 | Joncol | Fence 19 - Pulled Up | - | Paul Nolan |
| 2012 | Killyglen | Fence 8 - Unseated Rider | - | Stuart Crawford |
| 2011 | Killyglen | Fence 27 - Fell | - | Stuart Crawford |
| 2009 | Silver Birch | Fence 22 - Fell | - | Gordon Elliott |
| 2008 | Nadover | 7 | £5,280 | Charlie Mann |
| 2007 | Silver Birch | 1 | £399,140 | Gordon Elliott |
| 2005 | Spot Thedifference | 18 | - | Enda Bolger |
First Grand National Win In 2007 On Silver Birch
The 2007 Grand National was won by Silver Birch, and two young Irishmen found their career’s being elevated on the back of it. Gordon Elliott was having his first run in the race and the youngest trainer to have a runner that year.
Robbie Power was a 25-year-old, riding for the second time in the race, and just when he wanted to move to the next level of his career, he got this big win to push him forward. Just 12 horses managed to finish this race, it was indeed a tough test for all involved.
The ending of the race was certainly dramatic, with three horses covered by just two lengths. Silver Birch was three-quarters of a length ahead of McKelvely, while there was one and a quarter lengths back to Slim Pickings, who jumped the last fence in the lead, but ultimately could only finish third.
McKelvey was indeed closing at the line, but Robbie Power was strong up the run in and did enough to keep Silver Birch ahead of those chasing him down.
Grand National Win Kickstarts Power’s Career
The win of Silver Birch was about much more than just what happened on the day. Both Power, and trainer Gordon Elliott, were on the rise at the time but looking for a big race win to really put them in the spotlight.
Step forward the 33/1 outsider, Silver Birch, who gave them both their moment in the sun on the same day. There is no doubt that the win was a significant boost to the reputation of both men, with Power becoming more in demand in Ireland, and Elliott being rewarded by having a lot more interest in his training yard, and ultimately more horses being sent to him.
Winning the Grand National is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a jockey, and many will say that they don’t care when the win comes, as long as they get one. However, in terms of Robbie Power, there is no doubt that not only did he win the greatest race, but he won it at the perfect time for his career.