Ryan Mania

Ryan Mania is one of the most storied jockeys, having been at the forefront of racing for over a decade. Best known for his exemplary performance as Winner of the 2013 Grand National, Ryan's victory at just 23 years of age made him one of the youngest people to have ever won the competition. Now available to hire as a keynote speaker for a myriad of events, Ryan is able to draw from his illustrious career and speak on high performance, overcoming adversity and perseverance.

Ryan had no background in racing when at 14 he began working in the industry. Taken under the wing of the ‘Point to Point’ trainer, Bill Hughes, Ryan learned the ropes of riding and caring for horses at a very young age. A student of the Scottish Racing Academy, Ryan’s career took off when he was able to ride with multiple race winners under the stewardship of his racing trainer Peter Monteith. Ryan was only 22 when became a stable jockey for Sue and Harvey Smith.

Displaying an exemplary performance in his very first year as a stable jockey, Ryan only a horse’s head away from a win in the 2012 Scottish National. However, Ryan redeemed himself by winning the 2013 Grand National on the same horse he rode on during the Scottish National, Auroras Encore. The odds were stacked against him 33/1 but Ryan emerged victorious in his first attempt at the prestigious event. Unfortunately, just the next day after his iconic win, Ryan met with a life-threatening accident whilst racing and had severely injured his neck and back vertebrae. 

Recuperating from adversity, Ryan bounced back to have what was considered his best season numerically, accumulating the most wins in one season. In 2014, Ryan decided to retire from racing given the toll his injuries had taken on his personal life and health. This allowed him to lead a fruitful personal life, raise his children and focus on his growth. In 2019, Ryan returned to the racing arena and restored his glory through titles such as a Cheltenham Festival winner and a Morebattle Hurdle winner.

Ryan’s story is one of hard work, hope and perseverance. While it is not close to over, Ryan has several prominent anecdotes from his life that serve as a guidepost to anyone who needs to hear what it takes to overcome adversity. If you are looking for a seasoned motivational speaker for your next event, Ryan Mania is one of the best people to hire. He is bound to ignite a passion for excellence amongst your audience. Enquire now!