Racing news: Leading amateur rider Colman Sweeney announced retirement
Tuesday 14 April 2015 14:21, UK
Leading amateur rider Colman Sweeney paid tribute to dual Cheltenham Festival winner Salsify after announcing his retirement from the saddle.
The 10-year-old, trained by the rider's father, Rodger, won the Foxhunter Chase in 2012 and 2013, but was pulled up when bidding for the treble last month.
Having struggled with his weight for a number of years and having only recently taken up a job as a racecourse cameraman for Irish TV company IRIS, Sweeney feels now is the right time to call it a day.
He said: "It was coming eventually and I've a good job now with IRIS and I just felt I couldn't carry on doing both.
"I wasn't going to be able to ride out as much as I had been doing, and it would be a struggle to keep by fitness up.
"It wouldn't be fair on whatever horses I was going to ride and I thought they'd be better with a fitter jockey on their backs.
"I've also had a constant struggle with my weight all my life and the older I'm getting the harder it is to get the weight off from the summer grass!
"Working with IRIS is great as you still get to go racing and still get to meet up with the same characters.
"I hope I'll be able to be as successful during my new career as I was with the riding. I'll certainly enjoy it, I'll just be at the other end of the camera.
"Salsify probably gave me the two greatest days of my riding career. To have success as a family like that in Cheltenham doesn't happen very often.
"I also won the Foxhunter on Sleeping Night for Paul Nicholls and I rode plenty of other good horses, including Denman in a point-to-point.
"As trainers, Adrian Maguire and Liam Burke were probably two of my biggest supporters, so I have to say a big thanks to them."
Although his son's riding days are over, Rodger Sweeney has no intention of retiring Salsify just yet.
He said: "He won't run again (this season), but hopefully you'll see him again in the autumn."
The trainer's son guided Salsify to six victories and admits it is difficult to imagine someone else riding him next term.
"I think Dad is still a little bit disappointed in me as he feels I'm leaving him in the lurch," he said.
"He'll carry on tipping away with a few horses, including Salsify.
"I'll keep helping out as much as I can and it will be a bit strange to see someone else on his back, but all good things come to an end."
