A JOCKEY who has made more than £2million in the saddle has decided to retired aged just 27.
Louis Steward, 27, says enough is enough and he is calling time on his promising career as a Flat rider after more than a decade.
Steward is retiring from racing aged 27 after 11 years in the saddle winning some of the sport’s biggest handicaps
He won one of Britain’s biggest handicaps when landing the 2014 York Ebor on 20-1 outsider Mutual Regard for trainer Johnny Murtagh.
In a golden year, he also bagged the Cambridgeshire and Balmoral Handicap on Marcus Tregoning’s Bronze Angel.
While not reaching the top, top heights, Steward won in the late Queen’s colours at Ascot in 2019.
He landed a handicap on Sextant, a horse bred by the late monarch herself.
Steward banged in 182 winners in all but in a Twitter post said he was quitting the sport for good.
He wrote: “After some long and careful thoughts I’ve decided my time in the saddle has come to an end.
“Thank you to everyone from my family, friends, owners, trainers and the stable staff that have given me some wonderful memories that I’ll never forget.
“Looking forward to the next chapter!”
A lack of rides might be one of the reasons Steward decided to retire.
His final ever win, in a Listed contest at Musselburgh earlier this month, came on just his eighth ride of the year.
Steward also formed a strong partnership with Michael Bell, the pair teaming up for 42 wins in all.
Top trainer Ralph Beckett was among those wishing Steward all the best in the future.
He wrote: “Good luck. You were a pleasure to deal with.”
While fellow jockey Jim Crowley wrote: “All the best for the future Louis.”
