'A very solid horseman and extremely nice guy' - King pays tribute to Hutchinson

Alan King has described the retirement of Wayne Hutchinson as "a shock and a big loss", and added that he will provide all the support he can while his long-term stable jockey weighs up his options for the future.

King said: "I've only had two stable jockeys in 19 years and they've been 'Choc' [Robert Thornton] and then Wayne.

"Wayne was a great number two for a long time, and he slotted straight in when Choc retired. I couldn't have been more pleased with how it all developed."

He added: "Wayne is a very solid horseman and an extremely nice person with it. He's been so consistent over the years and we've had some great times together.

Talkischeap and Wayne Hutchinson were dominant in the bet365 Gold CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

"One day I'll certainly never forget was when he won the Scottish National on Godsmejudge in 2013, but there were many more, including the Hennessy win on Smad Place two years later. The good times continued right up to the end of last season when Talkischeap won at Sandown.

"We had some tremendous days but I think those big chasing wins are the ones that stand out."

King, who expects Tom Cannon and Tom Bellamy to step up and take the majority of his rides, admitted he had not been prepared for the news.

He said: "I didn't really see it coming. Wayne had a great season last year and although he had an injury to his hand in the summer, I thought that when Scarlet Dragon won on his first day back that we'd be back to normal.

"But he hadn't seemed happy with where he was for a couple of weeks. Although I thought we'd get through it, he came in and schooled this morning and then said that was it – it was time to finish.

"He knows best and everyone here will wish him well with whatever he decides to do in the future. We'll help in any way we can."

Get exclusive insight from the track and live tipping with our up-to-the-minute Raceday Live service on racingpost.com and the Racing Post mobile app