Jockey Quinn announces his retirement

Jockey Richard Quinn has announced his retirement from the saddle.

Jockey Richard Quinn has announced his retirement from the saddle.

The 44-year-old rider has called time on a career which yielded more than 2,000 wins and British Classic success aboard Love Divine in the Vodafone Oaks as well as Snurge and Millenary in the St Leger.

Quinn's agent Terry Norman confirmed: "Richard has retired as from today."

Quinn had partnered 27 winners so far this year and he signed off on the best possible note when winning the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes aboard Young Mick at Royal Ascot, on what has proved to be his final ride.

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"It's been in mind for a while and it's something I felt comfortable with," Quinn told Sky Sports News. "It's a natural progression - the time to move on and do other things.

"I rode my first winner at Kempton on Bolivar Baby in 1981 so it was nice to ride a winner on their redeveloped track and then the same again with Ascot.

"I was always looking forward to riding a winner at Ascot and I was lucky enough to win at the first meeting on my last ride which was very special.

"All good things must come to an end eventually. Win, lose or draw, that was going to be my last ride and it was a dream end to a marvellous career."

Quinn struck up a lucrative and enduring partnership with trainer Paul Cole, highlighted by the top-class performer Snurge who landed the 1990 St Leger.  T

he Stirling-born jockey also rode the likes French 1000 Guineas winner Culture Vulture and Irish St Leger victors Strategic Choice and Ibn Bey for Cole.

Quinn later moved to join the Henry Cecil yard and he partnered Love Divine to win the 2000 Oaks at Epsom for the Warren Place handler as well as Beat Hollow in the 2000 Grand Prix de Paris.