Amateur jockey David Maxwell retires from the saddle on doctor’s advice – after the millionaire owner/rider suffered his fourth broken back
David Maxwell Forced To Retire After Latest Injury
David Maxwell made a name for himself in the world of horse racing – after the millionaire amateur jockey becoming famous for riding his own horses.
However, after suffering a fourth broken back, the property developer has called time on his career.
A lot of Maxwell rides were often subject to plenty of interest on social media – with racing fans not always convinced about his riding ability.
🚨 OFF THE JURY DUCKS OUT AT THE LAST UNDER DAVID MAXWELL!!
DO YOU THINK HE MIGHT OF WON? 🤯pic.twitter.com/az1ksrzj0y
— Stephen R Power (@racingblogger) February 26, 2025
However, David Maxwell still rode 75 winners in Britain (and one in Ireland) during his time in the saddle donning his famous red and brown silks.
47 year-old Maxwell has been forced to retire by doctors after breaking his back for a fourth time.
With a tumble at Aintree last jumps season that has caused his career-ending injury.
“It wasn’t the worst fracture I’ve had but it’s cumulative.”
“How many impacts can you take? And at 47, I just don’t heal as well as I used to.” Said Maxwell
In total during his career, Maxwell suffered six concussions, four fractured spines, broken jaw in six places, punctured lungs and broken ribs.
Ex-Jockey David Maxwell To Sell ALL His 16 Horses
It’s also been reported that David Maxwell is set to sell ALL his 16 horses, which will take place at a unique dispersal sale in October.
He was in the saddle most of the time when his horses ran.
Including finishing 6th on Ain’t That A Shame in the 2024 Aintree Grand National, who was sent off 40/1 with the horse racing betting sites.
After riding Ain’t That A Shame in the National, Maxwell said.
“They are hard to find, these National horses, they don’t often get sold but this lad was available so it was a no-brainer.
“I was shooting in Ireland and I asked one of the guys I was with to keep an eye out for a National horse for me – two days later he rang and said he had one for me.
“He has a weight I can do, 10st 9lb, but I will be hungry for a few weeks before Aintree.
“He is a nice safe jumper, my sole concern was that he is quite strong, he pulled Rachael Blackmore’s arms out a couple of times.
“But they go plenty quick enough in the National and we should get a lot of cover, so it should be fine. I’ll hold on tight.
“He will be a lovely horse for veterans chases next year, as well. So it’s an investment for the next couple of seasons.”
El Cairos Expected To Have A Lot Of Interest
Maxwell’s horse sale would also include the exciting El Cairos, who is trained by Gary and Josh Moore and ran a blinder to be fifth in the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival last season (watch below).
The horse then went onto run second at the Punchestown Festival (see below) in early May and with a hurdles career on the cards this season, this French-bred looks a very nice prospect.
El Cairos is already a 25/1 shot for the 2026 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
NEW: Following on from David Maxwell's retirement at age 47, his horses will go to a dispersal sale at Cheltenham on the 24th October.
💰 OFF THE JURY, QUEENSBURY BOY, and IN D'OR will all be up for grabs.
👀 I wonder who will get EL CAIROS though…pic.twitter.com/G3LUSe5L5s
— Jake Price (@JakePriceRacing) September 15, 2025
How Did David Maxwell Make His Money?
Riding his own horses in some of the biggest jumps races in the world was all funded by David Maxwell’s London-based property development business.
Maxwell is the founder and CEO of construction company DPK, which has been responsible for over £1billion in commercial real estate deals over the years – making the amateur rider a lot of money, which is why he’s been able to fund his horse racing hobby.
