The glam Grand National 2025 WAGs – from rival riders to stunning TV host and beauty who stood by boyfriend’s jail stint
THE UK's top jockeys are saddling up for the Grand National this weekend, but they won't be the only ones catching spectators' eyes.
On Saturday, 34 horses will take on the famous jumps at Aintree as their beautiful WAGS cheer from the stalls, hoping their partners will take home the £1million jackpot.
The current favourite horse is Stumptown, whose rider, Keith Donoghue, is dating the blonde beauty Sarah Dempsey.
However, last year’s winner, I Am Maximus, is closely clipping at his heels for first place.
And away from the track, there are plenty who are winning already with their stunning wives and girlfriends, from rival riders to jet-setting Italian beauties.
Charlie Deutsch and Meg Jones
Charlie Deutsch will be a man to follow on Saturday after a fantastic season, but his life away from the races hasn't always been plain sailing.
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In 2018, the Cheltenham-winning jockey was sentenced to 10 months in prison for dangerous driving.
The sports star was found to be over the limit when cops found him going 110mph in his Audi.
Throughout Charlie’s jail stint he was supported by his partner Meg Jones, who is also mum to their baby Winnie.
Meg is a stable work-rider and groom and previously tended to winning horse Martator.
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In prison, aside from his WAG's support, Charlie was also allowed a copy of Racing Post each Saturday to help him get by.
This year at The Grand National he will be riding Royale Pagaill.
Ciaran Gethings and Kate Tracey
Kate Tracey is a Sky Sports presenter and racing journalist who wrote an article hitting out at trolls who sent Ciaran death threats after he was unseated in 2021.
Kate was deeply affected as a “protective girlfriend” and explained the mental pressures that jockeys face by online trolls in her article for The Racing Post.
She described it as “threats, expletives, abuse and general torment in huge volumes”.
Ciaran will be riding Horantzau D'Airy in this years race.
Sean Bowen and Harriet Matthews
Sean Bowen and girlfriend Harriett Matthews are jet setters and have previously spent stunning trips in Madrid, gone skiing in France and soaked up the sun on Greek islands Kos, Mykonos and Crete.
Keen rider Hattie works for Paul Nicholls Racing near Bath and has been with Sean since 2016.
The pair met at the Nicholls yard, and Sean has said she does “everything” for him.
In a Racing Post interview Sean said: “It drives her mad how useless I am at everything else bar riding horses.
“Apparently like every man on the planet, I'm useless at finding things in the house. Any paperwork I hand it to Harriet and she deals with it.”
The Welsh jockey will be riding horse Three Card Brag in this year's big race.
Sam Twiston-Davies and Nicola Currie
Nicola Currie is a professional female jockey who is dating the British National Hunt racing jockey Sam Twiston-Davies.
The power couple both have horse racing wins to their names and have previously spoken out in The Sun’s special racing question time about their careers.
Sam will be riding horse Beauport, hoping to follow in his dad Nigel’s footsteps who won the race previously.
Johnny Burke and Frankie Rowles
Johnny’s girlfriend Frankie is the daughter of Glenn Rowles and she is known to proudly retweet her partner’s races on X.
Frankie and her father run the fine art Rowles Gallery in Ludlow, Shropshire.
In 2023 after Johnny suffered a fall at The Grand National, the pair posted a selfie together.
Frankie wrote: "Thank you for all your lovely messages about J.
"A broken arm and a few scrapes to the face.
"Yes… I was a little over-dressed for a Saturday night in A&E.”
This year Johnny will be riding horse Minella Cocooner.
Mark Walsh and Katie Young
Mark and Katie are a match made in heaven and appear to be the Romeo and Juliet of the horse riding world.
Katie Young is a horse trainer and works for Gordon Elliott Racing, while Mark is the retained jockey in Ireland of legendary owner JP McManus.
The stunning brunette is pictured with Mark at almost all of his races and being from Co. Kildare she is also good friends with EGR jockey Keith Donoghue.
Irish jockey Mark will be riding horse Perceval Legallois this year.
Keith Donoghue and Sarah Dempsey
Keith Donoghue is dating blonde beauty Sarah Dempsey.
He recently whisked Sarah away to Villefranche-sur-mer in France while she took him skiing for the first time in Morzine in the French Alps.
Sarah was by Keith’s side after he won the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham in March.
Although just a few years ago, Keith told his local paper the of some advice he’d give his younger self - which Sarah might not be too happy with.
He said: “Don’t get a girlfriend, live your life.”
Keith will be riding horse Stumptown on Saturday.
Facts about the Grand National
EVERY year the Grand National sees millions of racing fans tune in to soak up the action.
- The first Grand National took place in 1839, with a horse named Lottery winning the race.
- Obstacles like Becher's Brook, The Chair, and the Canal Turn are renowned for their difficulty and have become iconic in the racing world.
- Red Rum is celebrated for winning the Grand National three times (1973, 1974, 1977) and finishing second twice (1975, 1976).
- In 1977, Charlotte Brew became the first woman to ride in the Grand National, breaking gender barriers in the sport.
- Rachael Blackmore made history in 2021 as the first female jockey to win the Grand National, riding Minella Times to victory.
- An estimated 500 to 600million viewers watch the race worldwide.
- The race covers about 4 miles and 2½ furlongs, with horses jumping 30 fences over two laps.
Harry Skelton and Bridget Andrews
Harry married fellow jockey Bridget in 2019, with the pair sometimes even racing against each other.
Bridget celebrated her first Cheltenham win with a kiss from Harry after beating him.
Harry has previously said the couple obviously do not always ride in the same races but both want to achieve as much as possible and enjoy the racing atmosphere.
They live in Warwickshire after meeting at Harry’s brother’s stables and they had their first child, Rory, in April last year.
Harry will be racing on horse hreeunderthrufive on Saturday.
Gavin Sheehan and Imy Levick
A slightly more private pair, Imy is also a jockey and has a baby with Gavin.
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Gavin is known to post about their relationship but they typically lead a very private life.
The jockey has previously ridden in the top race three times and is set to ride horse Hewick this year.
