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Horseracing

14th Mar 2019

Wexford jockey Jamie Codd pays emotional tribute to his brother after winning Champion Bumper

"God I wish he was here."

Darragh Murphy

“I hope he’s very proud.”

Jamie Codd need not worry about that because there is no doubting that his brother was beaming with pride as he looked down on the Wexford jockey’s stunning victory on board the Gordon Elliot-trained Envoi Allen in the Champion Bumper on Wednesday.

Codd stayed on well to ensure his ninth Cheltenham victory on Ladies Day and there was an outpouring of emotion as he celebrated the hard-earned win.

Having lost his brother William last year at the age of 43, Codd gave a beautifully honest interview to Racing TV in the moments after his second win of the festival.

“It’s an emotional day,” Codd said while fighting back tears.

“We’ve had a tough year. I lost my brother last year. He’s up there looking down on us today. I hope he’s very proud.

“It’s brilliant to have Mam and Dad here. William was a big supporter of mine. He was here two years ago.

“God I wish he was here. I wish he was here.”

Codd returns to action on Thursday, when he will ride the much-fancied Measureofmydreams at 17.30 and given his performances at Prestbury Park so far this week, you wouldn’t confidently bet against the Wexford man.