FOUR-TIME Champion Jockey Richard ‘Dicky’ Johnson has retired from racing with immediate affect.
Only the legendary AP McCoy has ridden more winners in the UK than the 43-year-old.
The rider made the shock announcement after he finished third aboard Brother Tedd at Newton Abbot.
Fighting back the tears, he made the call live on At The Races and said: “That’s it for me.
“Look I’ve had an amazing time, but it’s the right time for me to stop now.”
Johnson won the top jockey title for four consecutive years from 2016 and won a memorable Gold Cup with Native River in 2018 at the Cheltenham Festival.
In a longer statement, Johnson said: “After nearly 30 years in the saddle, the time has come for me to retire.
“I have been so extraordinarily lucky to have ridden so many wonderful horses, and for so many incredible trainers and owners.
“It was particularly important to me to finish on one for Philip and Sarah Hobbs who, like Henry Daly, have supported me for over 20 years. I’ll never be able to articulate what their loyalty has meant to me.
“There are so many people to thank who have been part of my journey. Without ‘the Duke’ and Dinah Nicholson and their remarkable staff, I’d never have got that first leg up.
“Noel Chance, Peter Bowen and Milton Bradley, thank you for putting your trust in me when I was starting out. Those were the days that shaped my career, with so many people who remain lifelong friends.
“To my wonderful family, thank you so much. Mum, Dad and my brother Nick who have always been by my side. Finally, to my wife Fiona and amazing children Willow, Caspar and Percy. Without you nothing would have been possible.”
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