Top Flat jockey Kevin Darley has announced that he will retire from race-riding at the conclusion of the season on Saturday.
The 47-year-old has had a disappointing year through injury and has decided to call time on a long a successful career.
Darley enjoyed associations with a number of trainers including Mark Johnston, for whom he rode Attraction to land the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas as well as the Coronation Stakes and Sun Chariot three years ago.
"It's one of the hardest decisions I've had to make," he told Racing UK. "I had great expectations at the start of the year to ride a good horse in Reverence and some of Mark Johnston's and they dropped away.
"The year then started very slowly and as it went on I picked up one or two niggling injuries that didn't go away as quick as they used to.
"I'm not 22 anymore, I'm 47, so I've decided to call it a day.
"I've got all my faculties and I think I'm still riding as well as ever and that is basically the reason why I want to go out at a level I'm happy with."
Darley also enjoyed Classic success on Bollin Eric in the St Leger and Celtic Swing in the French Derby.
