'I've got no idea what I want to do next - all I've ever wanted to do was this'

Jockey Racheal Kneller has spoken of her devastation at having to retire from race-riding after failing to fully recover from a concussion suffered more than a year ago.

Kneller, 34, rode 47 domestic winners in her 13-year career but a fall in February 2020 kept her off the track for a year and she was advised not to continue due to the long-lasting impact of her injury, which had not improved and led to fears the damage may be permanent.

She said: "I wanted to do this on my own terms and I feel it's kind of been taken from me. At the time I just thought I was being soft and that it wasn't a big deal. But it was by the sounds of it.

"I've been monitoring my progress and have been having regular concussion tests. I wasn't seeing much improvement, so I saw a specialist who said he couldn't believe I wasn't in a coma when it happened – that's how serious it was. He told me I needed to be 100 per cent to ride and he pointed out that I'm not how I should be. I'd been off for a year and knew I needed to make a decision."

She added: "I feel rubbish, but I suppose that's normal until I get used to it. I've got no idea what I want to do next – all I've ever wanted to do was this. I'd hate to walk away from racing, though, as it's given so much to me."

Reflecting on her career, Kneller said riding Best Be Careful to victory at Ascot in July 2012 was her career highlight. She was also named champion female jockey on the Arab racing circuit twice, and hit the headlines when answering a call on Twitter to take a spare ride she subsequently won on.

"I look back and think I've had a really great time and I'm in one piece," Kneller said. "I've done things I'm really proud of and I need to hang on to those memories.

"I think my Ascot winner was the highlight – that was my dream as a child. I also wanted to ride at St Moritz and when I did it was amazing. I had one ride over jumps, which I won on Ruacana. He lives with me now, which is quite cool. He retired in March."

Read more:

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

'I've enjoyed every minute of it' – Mark Grant retires from race-riding

Grand National-winning rider David Mullins quits the saddle aged just 24

The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a three-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday