Noel Fehily times it perfectly on outsider – then announces shock retirement

Noel Fehily announced his impending retirement immediately after riding his seventh winner at the Cheltenham Festival.

He achieved it with a perfectly timed run to land the Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle on 50-1 shot Eglantine Du Seuil.

A photo-finish delayed Fehily's joy, for all he was confident of success, and the 43-year-old jockey was overcome with emotion as he revealed it would be his final festival.

With several riding commitments in the coming weeks, Fehily is unsure exactly when he will ride his last race.

"This will be my last festival. I've enjoyed every minute of riding horses and I'm going to miss it," he said, wiping away tears.

"It's going to be tough walking away. I've loved doing it but it's a great way to bow out. To ride a winner for Jared Sullivan is very important for me. He's been a great supporter and it's great to do it for him.

"I have to speak to my other trainers and I've commitments for the next couple of weeks, so we'll go from there."

Asked if he would be riding at the Grand National meeting, he added: "We'll see how it goes, I haven't spoken to anybody, but it'll be in the next couple of weeks."

Fehily has just come back from time on the sidelines after having his appendix removed and, explaining the decision to retire, he said: "I spoke to my agent Chris Broad, my wife and kids about it a couple of weeks ago – you can't go on for ever.

"I thought if I got a festival winner I'd announce it. I'll carry on for the time being but this will be my last festival. I'm 43, which is too old to be in this game."

His latest festival winner came for Willie Mullins, as he got the better of 66-1 stablemate Concertista and 40-1 shot Tintangle – the tricast paid more than the winning prize-money at a huge £73,711.25.

Silver Jaro gave Fehily his first festival winner in 2008, but this was his fifth winner in the last four years thanks to the likes of Unowhatimeanharry, Buveur D'Air, Special Tiara and Summerville Boy. He also won the Champion Hurdle in 2012 on Rock On Ruby.

As well as owning Eglantine DuSeuil, Sullivan also hadSilviniacoConti, in partnership with Chris Giles and on whomFehily won six Grade 1s, including two King Georges.

Watch Noel Fehily's last victory at the festival in the Mares' Hurdle

Sullivan said: "Noel's a great mate and I'm glad to give him a winner here. I'm delighted for him, he's a top jockey.

"He's ridden loads of good winners for me – Silviniaco Conti and loads of others – but he's a great bloke with it."

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