Top Flat jockey Mick Kinane retires from race-riding

Flat jockey Mick Kinane has announced he will be retiring from the saddle.

Kinane, 50, who has been a jockey for 34 years, announced today (Tuesday 8 December) that he will be hanging up his boots.

This year Kinane partnered the John Oxx-trained Sea The Stars to six Group One wins — including the 2,000 Guineas, Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

“I have decided this is the right time to retire from race-riding,” he said in a press statement.

“At 50 I still feel fit and sharp enough to do any horse justice but, after the season I have just had in partnership with Sea The Stars, I have the privilege of being able to end my career as a jockey on an incredible high and that’s what I want to do.

“I leave with a huge sense of gratitude to all the great horses I have ridden, all the great trainers whose genius developed those champions and everybody else in racing, from the stable lads to the owners, who have made me deeply thankful for my involvement in the game.

Kinane, who was born in County Tipparary, Ireland has won the Arc five times, the 2000 Guineas four times, the Derby three times, the Oaks twice and the St Leger.

And last night (Monday 7 December) he was named as the Flat jockey of the year at the 43rd Derby Awards.

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