I was a tough-guy jockey who won the Grand National – now I’m a dancer in glittery suits and high-heel boots
BOLTS drilled into his head, countless broken bones and winning the world’s most famous race twice.
Davy Russell, 44, did it all on his journey to the peak of racing.
He was the go-to man for trainer Gordon Elliott and owner and Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, the three of them going mad after Tiger Roll won his second Grand National at Aintree in 2019.
A tough-guy rider who sure as hell didn’t suffer fools gladly and always held a grudge, Russell commanded respect wherever he went.
So the chances of seeing him in a sequined suit and wearing high-heeled boots on a dancing show appeared slim to say the least.
But, amazingly, he looked the part as he made his debut on Dancing with the Stars, Ireland’s version of Strictly.
Partnered with Kylee Vincent, the pair performed a paso doble to Crazy Horses by The Osmonds that had the audience applauding.
Unfortunately, it might not last long though.
Russell’s own sponsors, Star Sports, have the legendary jockey 16-1 to win, with only two other celebrities bigger in the market.
And Russell himself admits he is the ‘Jamaican bobsleigh team’ of the whole event.
But his wife Edelle says he is a good dancer at weddings – it’s just a case of transferring it to the live stage in front of the cameras.
Russell had no problem doing that as a jockey, winning 22 times at the Cheltenham Festival and being crowned Irish champion on three occasions.
But this is different.
He told the Irish Examiner: “Everything I have ever done has been loose and kind of natural.
“It was all just let everything flow, and now your feet have to be in certain places and your hands have to be in certain places.
“Your elbow has to be at an angle and your front hand has to be at a different angle to your hips and all of this is with head up and loads of attitude.
“So all of that is alien to me but I am so, so lucky with my dance partner Kylee – she is an exceptional teacher.”
The duo finished fifth of the 11 contestants on debut – enough for each-way money with certain bookies.
And if it was a horse there’s every chance Russell would go down as an eyecatcher capable of more next time out.
Indeed, punters joked he should improve for the spin.
So don’t be surprised to see this ultimate hard man deliver another upset eight months after hanging up his saddle for good.
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