'A mother figure to jockeys' - Ann Saunders retires after 43 years with the PJA

Sir Anthony McCoy and Richard Johnson were among those paying tribute to Ann Saunders, who retired on Saturday after 43 years with the Professional Jockeys Association.

The PJA executive director and company secretary has also acted as a director for the commercial arm of the association and been a trustee of the Jockeys Association Trust and the PJA pension scheme.

She has worked with a number of PJA presidents, including Lester Piggott who wrote her a personal letter of appreciation from Switzerland, and she received an MBE for her work in 2002.

McCoy, who was jumps president of the PJA for many years, said: "Ann was like a mother figure to many jockeys throughout her time at the PJA, her kindness and dedication to professional jockeys will be greatly missed.

Sir Anthony McCoy and Richard Johnson paid tribute to Ann SaundersCredit: Edward Whitaker

"Not every association is lucky enough to have an Ann Saunders. I wish her all the best in retirement. She deserves it."

Johnson, current National Hunt president said: "Ann has been an incredible part of the PJA, making it part of her life not just a job. She has also become a great friend to the racing community and will be greatly missed. I wish her a very happy retirement."

Among the numerous improvements to jockeys' welfare and wellbeing that have evolved during Saunders' time with the PJA are the introduction of the pension scheme, jockeys' sponsorship, the Lesters annual awards ceremony and career-ending insurance cover.

She paid her own tribute to the riders and said: "I am who I am today because of the jockeys I've had the pleasure to work for, their work ethic, loyalty and strength in times of adversity has been inspirational.

"It has been a great honour to work for the PJA, it has been far more than just a job and next to my family, it has been my life.

"No matter how hard I work, and there have been challenges at times, it has never felt like work. I would like to thank jockeys past and present and all the good people who helped and supported me along the way and wish them all the very best for the future, never more so than at this time of acute uncertainty."

PJA chief executive Paul Struthers said: "On behalf of the team and all our members both past and present, I cannot thank Ann enough for her service and dedication.

"Ann is one of those unsung heroes of the sport and her dedication to the PJA and to jockeys is remarkable.

Paul Struthers: 'Ann is one of those unsung heroes of the sport'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"Never has this dedication been better demonstrated than by her decision to voluntarily defer her retirement by a month to help see us through the initial phase of the coronavirus crisis.

"It was such a shame that we weren't able to give her the send-off she so thoroughly deserved that we had planned at Newbury in March but we will ensure her career is celebrated appropriately when the situation allows. We'll all miss her very much.”

PJA chairman Nigel Payne added: "I have known Ann for close on 30 years. She is completely driven by the PJA and her dedication and passion are incredible.

"They say no-one is irreplaceable but I am not so sure. What is for certain is that no one person could have given so much to the jockeys she so cared for and admired."

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