Richard Johnson: after 30 years the time has come for me to retire

Four-time champion jump jockey Richard Johnson released the following statement to announce his retirement from the saddle after an illustrious career . . .

After nearly 30 years in the saddle, the time has come for me to retire.

I have been so extraordinarily lucky to have ridden so many wonderful horses, and for so many incredible trainers and owners.

It was particularly important to me to finish on one for Philip and Sarah Hobbs who, like Henry Daly, have supported me for over 20 years. I’ll never be able to articulate what their loyalty has meant to me.

There are so many people to thank who have been part of my journey. Without ‘the Duke’ and Dinah Nicholson and their remarkable staff, I'd never have got that first leg up.

Native River (left) wins the 2018 Gold Cup under Richard JohnsonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Noel Chance, Peter Bowen and Milton Bradley, thank you for putting your trust in me when I was starting out. Those were the days that shaped my career, with so many people who remain lifelong friends.

The truth is there are simply too many people to thank on an individual basis, but you know who you are and what you mean to me.

To jockeys past and present who I've shared weighing room benches with up-and-down the country, to the valets who have looked after me, to the doctors who've patched me up and to the physios who've put me back together.

Without Dave Roberts I’d have never ridden as many winners and without the help of physio Kate Davis in recent years I wouldn’t physically have been able to. I salute you all.

Thank you to the Tote and the ROA for sponsoring me. Thanks to all the fantastic racecourses and staff that put on this great show and to all the media who have been so supportive for so long.

To all horseracing fans who we have missed so much this year on our racecourses. Thank you for every cheer, every shout of encouragement, it’s given me enormous strength over the years. I am so very grateful to you all.

To my wonderful family, thank you so much. Mum, Dad and my brother Nick who have always been by my side. Finally, to my wife Fiona and amazing children Willow, Caspar and Percy. Without you nothing would have been possible.

Read more on Richard Johnson:

Four-time champion jump jockey Richard Johnson retires from the saddle

A sport could not have had a finer role model or ambassador than Richard Johnson (Members' Club)

Tony McCoy tells Richard Johnson: look in the mirror and you will see a champion

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