Barry Geraghty replaces AP McCoy as JP McManus jockey

Barry Geraghty rode his first winner in 1997

Irish jockey Barry Geraghty is to be the new main rider for leading racehorse owner JP McManus following the retirement of AP McCoy.

The 20-time champion McCoy retired in April, leaving McManus needing a new rider to wear his green and gold silks.

Geraghty, 35, has ridden for trainer Nicky Henderson in recent seasons.

He won the Grand National in 2003 on Monty's Pass and has two Cheltenham Gold Cup victories - with Kicking King (2005) and Bobs Worth (2013).

McManus, a billionaire Irish businessman, has been leading owner in Britain for eight of the last 10 National Hunt seasons.

Horse racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght

"Geraghty was always favourite for this, not least because along with McCoy and Ruby Walsh, he's been outstanding in an indisputably golden jump jockey era.

"Many of Irish-based Geraghty's successes have been at the all-important Cheltenham Festival, and quite a few for McManus, notably 2014 Champion Hurdler Jezki when beating McCoy on the owner's My Tent Or Yours.

"The McManus string provided the backbone for McCoy's recent titles, but it's expected that Geraghty will concentrate on the bigger days, so he's more likely to be a regular on those occasions than another champion."