Kinane changed the notion that Irish flat jockeys weren’t good enough for the international stage

MICHAEL KINANE, the greatest flat jockey this country has ever produced, finally confirmed the rumours which had been rife in racing for a number of weeks when announcing his retirement yesterday.

In a statement issued to the Press Association, the 50-year-old said: “I have decided this is the right time to retire from race-riding.

“At fifty, I still feel fit and sharp enough to do any horse justice, but after the season I have just had, in partnership with Sea The Stars, I have the privilege of being able to end my career as a jockey on an incredible high and that’s what I want to do.