Shock retirement of National hero Mania
The Scot rocketed to prominence when winning the Aintree spectacular in 2013 on the Sue Smith-trained Auroras Encore, landing the world’s greatest steeplechase at odds of 66-1.
Just 24 hours later Mania came down to earth with a bump, when airlifted to hospital following a crashing fall at Hexham, suffering a neck injury.
His biggest win since Auroras Encore came on the Sandy Thomson-trained Seeyouatmidnight back at Aintree this April.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Mania, 25, (pictured) revealed an ongoing battle with his weight as the main reason for his decision to hang up his riding boots.
He said: “I’ve been thinking about this since the summer and I always thought that it was going to be my last season.
“Of course I am sad that I am stopping, but it has been at the back of my mind for some time.
“I thought I’d be able to carry on until Christmas, but my mind is made up.
“People don’t always see the sacrifices jockeys have to make if they’re to make the weight, and also the travelling and the time away from your family.”
