Group 1-winning jockey Fergus Sweeney to retire in November

Group 1-winning jockey Fergus Sweeney has announced plans to retire from the saddle in November.

Sweeney, whose biggest success came in the 2015 Haydock Sprint Cup on Twilight Son, has struggled for winners this year after riding abroad for the majority of 2018.

In a statement, the jockey said: "After much thought and with a heavy heart, I have decided as of November to call time on my riding career.

"I feel the time is right and I'm looking forward to the next chapter. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me in the 25 years that I've been lucky enough to do the job I've felt so passionately about. I'm hoping that life will be as sweet out of the saddle."

The 41-year-old has adopted the 'have saddle, will travel' approach during his career. In 2018 alone, he celebrated Oaks and Derby success during a near four-month spell in India as well as spending time in Korea, Singapore and Mauritius.

Fergus Sweeney, pictured after winning the 2015 Sprint Cup at Haydock on Twilight SonCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Since returning to Britain, the winners have dried up for Sweeney with just two victories from 144 rides this year. His most prolific campaign was in 2009 when he partnered 64 domestic winners.

Having made the move to England from Northern Ireland as a 16-year-old, Sweeney had his first ride in Britain in 1994 and gained his first winners the following year.

In latter years he formed a formidable alliance with Henry Candy, riding his sole Group 1 winner for the trainer on Twilight Son. He also won two Group 3s for Candy on Music Master in the 2014 Hackwood Stakes and Chain Of Daisies in the 2016 Winter Hill Stakes.

Sweeney spent time as retained rider for trainer Martyn Meade for whom he rode Irish Rookie to a Listed success as a juvenile in 2014, before finishing sixth in the 1,000 Guineas and second in its French equivalent the following week.

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