Multiple Grade One winning jockey Aidan Coleman is an Irish native but has spent most of his riding career in the UK. Amongst his partnerships, the strongest he’s formed has been with Venetia Williams and Emma Lavelle, two trainers who have given Coleman a lot of winners over the years.
Born on August 17th, 1988, Coleman has hit the 1000 winner mark, a feat which he landed in June 2019, to really show what level he’s ridden at and the longevity of his career. Coleman began his racing career in the UK with Henrietta Knight, coming over to take a job for her, but it wasn’t until he created a partnership with Venetia Williams that the career of Coleman began to move in the right direction.
After the switch, he won the 2008/09 conditional jockeys’ championship with 55 winners, and in the same year, he would ride Mon Mome in the Grand National for Williams. At the time, he was just 19 and one of the youngest riders ever to take on the challenge of a Grand National. The pair would get round the course and finish 10th.
Twelve months later, Coleman had the option to ride Mon Mome again but chose not to, instead, he rode Stan, who fell early in the race, while he watched Mon Mome, this time with Liam Tredwell riding, go on and win the race.
In 2021, Coleman would go much closer to winning the Grand National, his best attempt yet, and it came on board the Henry de Bromhead-trained Balko Des Flos. The pair finished second in the race, an excellent ride from Coleman, and a great run from the horse, though ultimately, they were not quite good enough on the day.
Aidan Coleman Grand National Wins
Aidan Coleman has never won the Grand National.
Their best finish to date was in 2021 with Balko Des Flos who came 2nd.
Full Results
| Year | Horse | Result | Prize Money | Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | The Big Dog | 5 | £40,000 | Peter Fahey |
| 2022 | Snow Leopardess | Fence 17 - Pulled Up | - | Charlie Longsdon |
| 2021 | Balko Des Flos | 2 | £200,000 | Henry De Bromhead |
| 2019 | Just A Par | Fence 28 - Pulled Up | - | James Moffatt |
| 2018 | Pendra | Fence 29 - Pulled Up | - | Charlie Longsdon |
| 2017 | Tenor Nivernais | 17 | - | Venetia Williams |
| 2016 | Pendra | 13 | - | Charlie Longsdon |
| 2015 | The Druids Nephew | Fence 26 - Fell | - | Neil Mulholland |
| 2014 | The Rainbow Hunter | Fence 9 - Unseated Rider | - | Kim Bailey |
| 2013 | The Rainbow Hunter | Fence 8 - Unseated Rider | - | Kim Bailey |
| 2012 | Mon Mome | Fence 22 - Pulled Up | - | Venetia Williams |
| 2011 | Grand Slam Hero | Fence 13 - Fell | - | Nigel Twiston-Davies |
| 2010 | Mon Mome | Fence 26 - Fell | - | Venetia Williams |
| 2009 | Stan | Fence 7 - Fell | - | Venetia Williams |
| 2008 | Mon Mome | 10 | - | Venetia Williams |
Cheltenham Festival Success
Aidan Coleman has had a bit of success at the Cheltenham Festival, including at Grade One level. His biggest and best win came on Paisley Park in the Stayers Hurdle, winning the 2019 renewal of the event after winning the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle a few months prior. The Long Walk success was a first Grade One success for Coleman.
Put The Kettle On is another runner that Coleman has been associated with over the years, and this mare took him to two Cheltenham Grade One successes. Firstly, they won the 2020 Arkle Chase, and they then followed it up with the 2021 Champion Chase to further cement their partnership.