Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Michael Kinane retires from horse racing

December 08, 2009

Veteran Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Mick Kinane has ended his remarkable 34-year career in the saddle, announcing his retirement from horse racing on Tuesday.

Kinane, 50, leaves the sport on a high having enjoyed several high-profile wins in 2009, notably partnering Sea The Stars to six Group I victories including an unprecedented 2000 Guineas-Derby-Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe treble.

"I have decided this is the right time to retire from race riding," Kinane said in a 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.

"Teamwork is the key to success in racing and I have been blessed with some of the best alliances a jockey could have."

Kinane notched nearly 1500 winners during his memorable career, including the Belmont Stakes, the Melbourne Cup, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Stakes, the Derby at Epsom Downs, and the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Kinane won the 1993 Melbourne Cup at Flemington aboard champion Dermot Weld-trained stayer Vintage Crop.