Gannon forced to retire after specialist rules out return to racing

Cathy Gannon has finally been forced to call an end to her prolonged fight to return from a horrendous injury that almost resulted in her losing her left foot, announcing her retirement on Saturday.

"It's very hard, but I have to retire," said the rider. "I have to think of my family and look to the future. There are a lot of jockeys forced out far worse than me, so I'm lucky it's not severe."

Gannon scores on Figurante (right) at Lingfield on the same day she suffered her accidentCredit: Alan Crowhurst

The news brings to an end a career that did much to further the cause of female jockeys, with the talents of Gannon and Hayley Turner shining through in the same era, and paving the way for Josephine Gordon to carry the torch in recent years.

Gannon, 35, began her career in 1998 in Ireland, where she was champion apprentice in 2004. She relocated to Britain in 2006 and was to partner 440 career winners, claiming three Lesters as Lady Jockey of the Year, in 2010, 2011 and 2015.

Cathy Gannon (right) receives her Lady Jockey of the Year award at the Lesters in 2015 from Harriet Collins

Gannon's ultimately career-ending injury occurred when she broke all five toes in her left foot in a nasty incident at Lingfield on May 25 last year, when Spring Overture played up in the stalls. She had only just notched her 15th winner of the year on Figurante.

She had originally hoped to be back in time for the Shergar Cup, but a string of disappointing updates from her specialist forced a return to be repeatedly pushed back.

A kiss for Ronan Keating at the Lesters

A final negative update has resulted in her admitting defeat, with her foot simply unable to withstand the pressure of race-riding – let alone another knock in the stalls.

Gannon, who will return home to Ireland in October, intends to stay in the sport as both a jockey coach and work-rider – after she has had a special left boot designed to make riding more comfortable.

She said: "I'm just not going to be able to race-ride. My foot can't take the pressure of being on the balls of your feet, and I'd always be vulnerable to another knock in the stalls.

GANNON IN NUMBERS

35 age
440 career winners in Britain and Ireland
1 Group winner – Dingle View in 2010 Round Tower Stakes
71 winners in her single single best year (2011)
1998 Year of first ride
£382,841 best prize-money haul (2011)

"I didn't realise how serious it was at the time, but my specialist reminded me they nearly had to amputate my foot, so I'm lucky to still have it."

She continued: "I'm all right walking and I can ride out, but it's just race-riding. It puts more pressure on your foot and the boots are less supportive. I'm getting a special boot made so I can continue to ride out, and I'm going to move my family back home to Ireland in October.

Gannon (left) gets Van Percy up to beat Blue Wave a nose at Haydock in 2013Credit: John Grossick (racingpostphotos.com)

"I've been doing some jockey coaching and I'd like to continue that in Ireland, and hopefully I'll be able to do a few lots in the morning. It's just a case of keeping on top of it, I have plenty of other injuries from my time in racing – my shoulder's not great – and I'm getting older, so it makes sense."

Gannon's best year came in 2011, when she had 71 winners, with her chief employer in Britain being David Evans, although she was keen to praise several others as well.

She added: "There are so many people I'd like to thank. From Mr and Mrs [John] Oxx to David Evans, Henry Candy, Kevin Ryan and Andrew Balding; the list of people who supported me is endless and I'm so thankful to all of them.

"I'd also like to give a special mention to my agent Neil Allan, all the physios and staff at Oaksey House, Jets for their support and most of all my family for their support through what has been an incredibly tough time and a very difficult decision."

Three of the best

Norville

Sometimes jockeys and horses just click. That was the case in 2011 when Gannon and the David Evans-trained Norville combined as one of the most devastating partnerships in racing. Between February 5 and June 25 the pair won on six of their 11 starts. The first win came off a mark of 64 at Lingfield, the last off 94 at Windsor.

Ladyship

Ryan Moore, Frankie Dettori and Kieren Fallon all rode the Sir Michael Stoute-trained daughter of Oasis Dream, but she shared her biggest day with Gannon. Success came in Chester’s Listed City Plate in 2013, when Gannon proved herself a smart listener as well as jockey. "Ryan Moore told me how to ride her,” she said after the half-length win over Rivas Rhapsody. “He said to sit quiet early on, not to bully her or pull her wide.” She wasn’t disappointed.

Gannon returns on Dingle View after winning the 2010 Group 3 Round Tower Stakes at The CuurraghCredit: Caroline Norris

Dingle View

August 29, 2010 was a day to remember for Gannon, who walked out of the Curragh with a Group 3 win under her belt. Dingle View was sent off an unloved 22-1 for the Round Tower Stakes but charged off in front and stayed there until being passed by hot favourite Glor Na Mara inside the final furlong. But Gannon was not done with as she dug in to roust the David Evans-trained Dingle View back in front on the line.