The
Irish Derby winning jockey of seven years ago is hopeful of a repeat in this year’s race at the age of 53
At 53, Kevin Manning has been going a lot longer than the men with whom he shares the weigh rooms of
Ireland, but the suggestion of retirement gets short shrift just the same. “It feels no different to me now than it did 25 years ago,” Manning said on Friday, after a session in the sauna followed by a run.
He may be the envy of his younger colleagues on Saturday evening, when he partners Fiscal Rules (7.15) in the Irish Derby for his long-time employer Jim Bolger, also his father‑in-law. Both men described it as the crowning moment of their careers when they won this race seven years ago with Trading Leather, but they have a fine chance to do so again with this lightly raced colt, a running-on fifth behind Siskin in the Guineas a fortnight ago.