Pat Collins announces retirement after 14 years in the saddle

Pat Collins announced his retirement from competitive action before the new season after a successful 14-year career as one of the most respected riders, particularly on the Cork-Waterford circuit.

The jockey suffered a fractured vertebra in a fall at Boulta last December, and that proved to be his final ride on the same afternoon he rode his 103rd between the flags, 12 years after his first winner at Skibbereen in March 2006.

From the outset of his career, Collins was associated with some smart future performers, with his second career success coming aboard Scottish National winner Hello Bud when he was a winner at Tallanstown.