Adam Kirby: Remarkable Derby Winner Turned Trainer

Introduction

Adam Kirby is a British racehorse trainer and former Flat jockey who became one of the most respected riders of his generation.

He recorded 1,927 winners in Britain, won nine Group One races and became a four-time All-Weather Champion Jockey. His greatest moment came in 2021 when he guided Adayar to victory in the Epsom Derby.

After weight difficulties brought his riding career to an end, Kirby remained in horse racing. He started training from Vicarage Farm in 2026 and celebrated a winner with his first runner.

Adam Kirby Quick Profile

Information	Details
Full name	Adam Kirby
Date of birth	August 1988
Age	37 years old as of July 2026
Nationality	British
Profession	Racehorse trainer and former Flat jockey
Height	5 feet 11 inches
Minimum riding weight	Approximately 9 stone
Childhood home	Vicarage Farm, Kirtling
Partner	Megan Evans
Children	Two
First professional ride	Broughton Knows at Lingfield in 2004
British career wins	1,927
Group One wins	Nine
All-Weather titles	Four
Derby-winning horse	Adayar
Training base	Vicarage Farm, near Newmarket
Current status	Active racehorse trainer

Who Is Adam Kirby?

Adam Kirby is a Derby-winning former jockey who now works as a licensed racehorse trainer.

He was one of the tallest jockeys in the British weighing room, yet he maintained a successful career for almost two decades.

Kirby became especially well known for riding sprinters. Lethal Force, Harry Angel, Profitable, Golden Horde and Supremacy were among the leading horses associated with him.

However, his name became part of British Classic history through Adayar’s victory in the 2021 Derby.

Early Life at Vicarage Farm

Kirby has lived at Vicarage Farm in Kirtling, near Newmarket, since he was four years old.

His late father, Maurice Kirby, bought the farm during the early 1990s. Growing up around horses gave Adam an early understanding of their behaviour, temperament and daily care.

At the age of 12, he began riding out on Saturdays for Newmarket trainer James Fanshawe.

This practical experience became the foundation of his racing education. He later served his apprenticeship with trainer Michael Wigham.

Unlike athletes such as Fabio Wardley, whose route into professional sport began outside the traditional amateur system, Kirby entered racing through years of direct work with horses.

Winning His First Professional Race

Adam Kirby made his professional race-riding debut at Lingfield on 1 October 2004.

He was only 16 when he partnered the Gay Kelleway-trained Broughton Knows. The horse won, giving Kirby victory with his first official ride.

Winning immediately was a promising start, but establishing a long career required patience and regular opportunities.

One of his earliest important partnerships came with trainer Clive Cox. Kirby won the 2005 Portland Handicap aboard Out After Dark on only his second ride for Cox.

Their relationship later developed into one of the most productive jockey-trainer partnerships in modern British Flat racing.

Early Career Development

Kirby became first jockey to former Derby-winning rider Walter Swinburn during the early part of his career.

For Swinburn, he won the 2006 John Smith’s Cup at York aboard Fairmile.

He gradually earned more rides while developing a reputation as a strong, calm and tactically intelligent jockey.

Between 2011 and 2019, Kirby recorded more than 100 winners in nine consecutive seasons. This consistency helped him move from a dependable working jockey to a rider trusted in major races.

All-Weather Champion Jockey

Kirby was particularly successful on Britain’s artificial racing surfaces.

He won his first All-Weather jockeys’ championship during the 2012–13 season after recording 91 winners.

He later secured three more titles, becoming a four-time All-Weather Champion Jockey. His fourth championship arrived in 2018–19 with 69 victories.

All-weather racing demands quick decisions, accurate positioning and an understanding of how different tracks favour certain riding styles.

Kirby’s balance and race awareness made him one of the most reliable riders at Lingfield, Kempton, Wolverhampton and other artificial-surface courses.

Breakthrough With Lethal Force

The 2013 season changed the direction of Kirby’s career.

He partnered the Clive Cox-trained Lethal Force in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. The grey produced an outstanding performance and gave Kirby his first Group One victory.

The partnership achieved another major success in the July Cup at Newmarket.

Lethal Force’s front-running victory confirmed Kirby’s ability to perform under pressure against elite international competition.

On the same July Cup card, he also won the Bunbury Cup aboard Field of Dream.

Major Successes in 2014

Kirby continued building his reputation during the 2014 season.

He won the Lincoln Handicap on Ocean Tempest, the Epsom Dash on Caspian Prince and the Royal Hunt Cup on Field of Dream.

These races required different tactical approaches, showing that he was not limited to one type of horse or distance.

He finished fifth in the British jockeys’ championship that year, placing him among the country’s leading riders.

Royal Ascot Group One Double

Kirby enjoyed two memorable days at Royal Ascot in 2016.

He won the King’s Stand Stakes aboard Profitable, another Clive Cox-trained sprinter.

The victory came shortly after the birth of Kirby’s first child, making the occasion especially important to him.

One day later, he rode My Dream Boat to victory in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes. The result was a major upset against the highly rated Japanese runner A Shin Hikari.

Winning Group One races on consecutive days demonstrated Kirby’s confidence and versatility at the highest level.

Partnership With Harry Angel

Harry Angel became another important horse in Adam Kirby’s career.

The powerful sprinter won the 2017 July Cup at Newmarket before adding the Sprint Cup at Haydock.

Both performances confirmed Harry Angel as one of Europe’s leading speed horses and gave Kirby two more Group One victories.

Kirby’s calm handling suited strong and energetic horses. He rarely appeared hurried, even when riding at high speed in crowded sprint races.

Golden Horde and Supremacy

Kirby added two further Group One successes in 2020.

He rode Golden Horde to victory in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot.

Later that year, he partnered Supremacy in the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Both horses were trained by Clive Cox, continuing a professional association that produced hundreds of winners over 17 years.

Kirby and Cox combined for 398 victories from 2,603 rides.

Adam Kirby’s Nine Group One Wins

Kirby’s major victories included:

• Diamond Jubilee Stakes – Lethal Force, 2013
• July Cup – Lethal Force, 2013
• King’s Stand Stakes – Profitable, 2016
• Prince of Wales’s Stakes – My Dream Boat, 2016
• July Cup – Harry Angel, 2017
• Sprint Cup – Harry Angel, 2017
• Commonwealth Cup – Golden Horde, 2020
• Middle Park Stakes – Supremacy, 2020
• Epsom Derby – Adayar, 2021

His Derby success was officially recognised as the ninth Group One victory of his riding career.

Winning the 2021 Epsom Derby

The defining moment of Kirby’s career came at Epsom on 5 June 2021.

He had initially expected to ride John Leeper, but Frankie Dettori became available and received that booking.

Kirby was then selected to ride Adayar for trainer Charlie Appleby and owner Godolphin.

Starting at odds of 16–1, Adayar travelled strongly before moving through along the inside rail. He defeated Mojo Star by four and a half lengths.

The victory gave Kirby his first British Classic and ninth Group One success. The official Derby record also confirms that Adayar was only his second ride in the race.

The result carried an additional personal connection because Kirby had helped break in Adayar as a young horse before later riding him to Derby glory.

Riding Style and Strengths

Kirby was known for his physical strength, balance and direct riding style.

He often performed particularly well on fast sprinters that required confidence and firm handling.

He could judge pace effectively from the front but was also willing to wait for a gap, as he demonstrated aboard Adayar at Epsom.

His quiet personality contrasted with the intensity of his riding. He generally avoided unnecessary publicity and preferred to allow his results to speak for him.

The discipline required to maintain his career has similarities with Kieran Reilly, whose BMX success was also built through control, courage and repeated technical practice.

Height and Weight Difficulties

At 5 feet 11 inches, Kirby was unusually tall for a Flat jockey.

He generally committed to a minimum riding weight of approximately nine stone. Maintaining that weight became increasingly difficult as his career continued.

Changes involving racecourse saunas and weight allowances made the process harder for him.

Kirby later explained that the constant struggle affected him both physically and mentally.

His final ride came at Newmarket in August 2023, although he did not formally confirm his retirement until April 2025.

In his retirement announcement, he explained that he could no longer manage the demands of making weight safely and consistently.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Kirby finished his British riding career with 1,927 victories.

He rode more than 100 winners in nine consecutive seasons and won four All-Weather championships.

His nine Group One victories included leading sprint races, an important middle-distance Royal Ascot contest and the Epsom Derby.

These results made him one of the most successful British jockeys of his era.

His career also showed the value of persistence. Like footballer Tom White, Kirby faced physical setbacks but continued adapting until a new professional opportunity emerged.

Partner and Family Life

Adam Kirby’s long-term partner is Megan Evans.

She is the daughter of racehorse trainer David Evans and has extensive experience in training, bloodstock, stud work and sales preparation.

Megan has worked with respected organisations including Cheveley Park Stud and Mickley Stud.

She manages much of the daily operation at Vicarage Farm and plays an important role in the care and preparation of its horses.

Kirby is a father of two. He has generally kept his family life separate from his public racing career.

Vicarage Farm Pre-Training Business

Kirby and Megan Evans developed a successful breaking and pre-training operation at Vicarage Farm.

The farm is situated near Kirtling, approximately seven miles from Newmarket.

Its services include thoroughbred breaking, pre-training, spelling, rehabilitation, sales preparation and broodmare boarding.

The operation has worked with leading trainers and owners. Clients have included Charlie Appleby, Richard Spencer, Simon and Ed Crisford, George Boughey and Phil Cunningham.

Kirby’s experience as a jockey helps him recognise how individual horses move, respond to pressure and develop mentally.

Starting a Training Career

Kirby announced plans to become a licensed trainer after accepting that he would not return to race riding.

He began training from Vicarage Farm in 2026 while continuing the existing pre-training business.

His first runner was Tuscan Point in a six-furlong handicap at Southwell on 11 March 2026.

Tuscan Point won by five and a half lengths, giving Kirby a perfect start.

The achievement created an unusual career record: Kirby won with both his first professional ride as a jockey and his first runner as a trainer.

He began his training operation with approximately 20 horses and support from owners including Peter Harris and Kirsten Rausing.

Adam Kirby’s Training Philosophy

Kirby does not attempt to copy one trainer’s complete system.

Instead, he has taken useful lessons from the different yards, trainers and horses he encountered during his riding career.

Being able to ride his own horses gives him an additional advantage. He can personally assess their fitness, movement, attitude and breathing during exercise.

His approach focuses on learning each horse’s personality rather than treating every runner in the same way.

He has also explained that every pre-training horse should be treated as its owner’s valuable prospect and given individual attention.

Current Status in 2026

As of July 2026, Adam Kirby is an active Flat racehorse trainer based at Vicarage Farm.

His runners have competed on both turf and all-weather tracks during his first season.

He remains closely involved in riding work, preparing young horses and managing the pre-training business with Megan Evans.

Kirby has said that his long-term aim is to compete in major Saturday races and eventually return to Pattern-level competition as a trainer.

However, his first priority is to build steadily, win races with different horses and maintain a strong standard of care.

Public Image and Legacy

Adam Kirby is remembered as a skilled and understated jockey who reached the highest level without seeking celebrity attention.

His success was built through consistency, strong horsemanship and productive relationships with trainers such as Clive Cox and Charlie Appleby.

Winning the Derby ensured his permanent place in British racing history.

His move into training has added a fresh chapter to that story. Rather than leaving racing after retirement, he used his experience to create a new role within the sport.

Kirby’s journey from teenage apprentice to Classic-winning jockey and professional trainer demonstrates how a sporting career can develop beyond active competition.

Interesting Facts About Adam Kirby

• He won with his first professional ride at the age of 16.
• He also won with his first runner as a licensed trainer.
• He rode 1,927 winners in Britain.
• He recorded more than 100 winners for nine consecutive seasons.
• He became All-Weather Champion Jockey four times.
• He won nine Group One races.
• He won two different editions of the July Cup.
• He won two Group One races on consecutive days at Royal Ascot in 2016.
• He helped break in Adayar before riding him to Derby victory.
• His first Derby win came after he lost his original booking in the race.
• He was one of the tallest successful Flat jockeys in Britain.
• His training yard is based at the farm where he grew up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Adam Kirby?

He is a British racehorse trainer and retired Derby-winning Flat jockey.

How old is Adam Kirby?

He is 37 years old as of July 2026.

When was Adam Kirby born?

He was born in August 1988.

How tall is Adam Kirby?

He is approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall.

How many winners did Adam Kirby ride?

He recorded 1,927 victories in Britain.

How many Group One races did he win?

He won nine Group One races during his riding career.

Which horse did Adam Kirby ride in the Derby?

He rode Adayar to victory in the 2021 Epsom Derby.

Why did Adam Kirby retire?

He retired because the physical and mental demands of making racing weight became too difficult.

Who is Adam Kirby’s partner?

His long-term partner is horsewoman and Vicarage Farm manager Megan Evans.

Is Adam Kirby now a trainer?

Yes. He started training racehorses professionally from Vicarage Farm in 2026.

Who was Adam Kirby’s first winner as a trainer?

Tuscan Point became his first winner at Southwell in March 2026.

Conclusion

Adam Kirby built an outstanding riding career through natural horsemanship, discipline and nearly two decades of consistent results.

His major partnerships with Lethal Force, Profitable, Harry Angel, Golden Horde and Supremacy established him as an elite Group One jockey.

Adayar’s 2021 Derby victory became the greatest moment of his career and gave him the British Classic success that had previously been missing from his record.

Weight difficulties eventually ended his time in the saddle, but they did not end his involvement in racing.

By winning with his first runner as a trainer, Kirby began his second career in the same remarkable way that he started his first.