Background
Leighton Aspell was born 12 June 1976 in Dublin, Ireland. He grew up in Narraghmore, County Kildare. Aspell has a brother, Paddy, who is also a jockey, and was originally taught to ride by his father, Patrick.
Leighton Aspell was born 12 June 1976 in Dublin, Ireland. He grew up in Narraghmore, County Kildare. Aspell has a brother, Paddy, who is also a jockey, and was originally taught to ride by his father, Patrick.
He was later apprenticed to Regional Hollinshead.
Aspell has competed in seven Grand Nationals, winning both the 2014 and 2015 Grand Nationals and coming second in the 2003 Grand National (his debut), riding Supreme Glory. Aspell had several other notable successes. In 2006, Aspell came near to victory at the Grand National, riding Ballycassidy, but he fell at Valentine"s Brook second time round.
In July 2007, Aspell announced his retirement from race riding, and left to work for trainer John Dunlop in Arundel.
However, he began his comeback in April 2009, saying
"I"m really looking forward to coming back. lieutenant"s something that has been in the back of my mind, and the more I thought about it, the more I decided that I didn"t want to find myself in ten years time regretting not having ridden for longer."
During the 2013–2014 season, Aspell had his best ever season, riding 61 winners so far.
He was given the ride on Richard Newland"s Pineau de Re in the 2014 Grand National after the horse"s regular rider Sam Twiston-Davies opted to ride the more fancied Tidal Bay around three weeks prior to the race. Pre-race, favourite A. P. McCoy had odds of 7-1 riding Shutthefrontdoor, Aspell had odds of 25-1.