No fairytale retirement for Gibson at York

Dale Gibson failed to supply a fairytale ending to his riding career when Upton Seas, his final ever mount, finished 11th at York today.

Mick Easterby's mare finished well in arrears of Starla Dancer in the Play Jeff Or Ref At Coral Handicap.

Despite that reverse, Gibson has no regrets about hanging up his boots at the same track at which he made his riding debut.

The Yorkshire-based jockey, a tireless worker in and out of the plate, had his first winner on Granny's Bank at Pontefract in October 1985, just a month after his York bow.

The 41-year-old has ridden over 520 winners, including the 1989 Stewards' Cup at Goodwood on Very Adjacent and the William Hill Trophy at York on Artie in 2002.

As he walked back to the weighing-room, he was doused with a bucket of water by Jimmy Quinn to whom he offered a quick retort: "Don't forget Jimmy, you are the oldest jockey now!"

Upton Seas never threatened to provide the dream swansong, and Gibson reflected: "She was never really going and I think she has probably gone over the top.

"She is a nice filly and she will be winning again next season."

Gibson at least enjoyed a final winner on the Knavesmire when Jeannie Galloway dead-heated for first on Friday.

He added: "It really hasn't sunk in yet that it is all over.

"It will in a day or two, I suppose, but I thought it was the right time to call it a day and haven't changed my mind.

"It was a pity I did not manage to ride a winner today, but it was the next best thing to have ridden one yesterday - albeit a dead-heat on Jeannie Galloway.

"The nice thing was the reception I received from the racegoers as we returned to the winner's enclosure, it was quite an emotional moment really and much appreciated."

Before his first mount of the afternoon, fellow jockeys gathered in the parade ring, where Gibson was presented with a framed montage of his wins at York.

Kevin Darley also presented him with a silver plate on behalf of the Professional Jockeys' Association.

His colleagues then congregated in the parade ring following his last ride and soaked him with champagne.

Gibson is on the board of the PJA and is their northern safety officer. He still plans to work in some capacity within the industry.

He concluded: "I will be doing some media work and am booked up until November.

"I will be doing some things for the PJA and I will continue buying horses so I have plenty to keep me occupied."