WAYNE HUTCHINSON, most known for his role as stable jockey to Alan King, has announced his retirement.
The 39-year-old called time on his successful career on Monday afternoon.
With the rider still at the top of his game, the news comes as a shock to the racing world – though he’s adamant he’s made the right decision.
He told the Racing Post: “It just seems the right time. I’m rising 39 and I’ve accomplished more as a jockey than I ever thought I would.
“I’ve ridden a lot of very good horses and I’ve met a lot of great people, and I’ve also just had the best season of my entire career.
“I missed a couple of months in the summer after breaking a bone in a hand schooling, but I came back and rode a winner on my first ride back when Scarlet Dragon won the Listed handicap hurdle at Market Rasen at the end of last month.
“He was my last winner as it turns out, but I’m fit and well and I could ride again tomorrow if I wanted. I’m immensely proud to be going out on my own terms.”
Winner of over 800 races, last year’s Bet365 Gold Cup-winning jockey landed three Grade 1 victories in his long career, including an Ascot Chase win on the ill-fatedBalder Succesand an Aintree Juvenile Hurdle success onL’Unique.
He also struck gold in two Cheltenham Festival contests (Medinas and Oh Crick) and won a Hennessy Gold Cup on Smad Place.
He added: “Alan has been the most wonderful boss and I can’t thank him enough for all of the opportunities he’s given me.
“It came as a surprise to him when I dropped the bombshell, but he understood and just told me not to rush, and to spend a week thinking it over.
“Racing has been my life, and it’s given me so much joy and pleasure that I’d be happy to give something back by staying within the sport, but I’m very open-minded about the future and my next chapter could equally be outside the sport.”
