Naughton announces retirement

Jump jockey Michael Naughton has retired from the saddle.

The 29-year-old only returned to action last year after recovering from a broken back but decided to hang up his boots after riding Ballynattin Blue at Sedgefield yesterday.

Naughton pulled up on the 11-year-old gelding and announced his decision to his fellow riders in the weighing room.

He told the Racing Post: “I think a lot of them were surprised because things have been going quite well for me this season. I’ve had six winners and have ridden a couple of doubles but, for some reason, the buzz has gone.

“A lot of the lads will tell you that when you start thinking like that, it’s time to stop. Maybe the nasty fall I had at Musselburgh last week jolted some sense into me.”

Naughton, who has enjoyed spells with Mary Reveley, Len Lungo and Ferdy Murphy, was on the sidelines for a lengthy period last year after suffering the back injury.

He added: “I fractured two vertebrae in a fall while I was riding out at home and was off for six or seven months. I did think then of stopping, but wanted to prove to myself that I could still do it, so I decided to carry on.”