Jockey Michael Kinane announces retirement

By: SPORTS NETWORK

London, England (Sports Network) - Champion jockey Michael Kinane announced his retirement from riding on Tuesday. The 50-year-old native of Ireland concludes 34 years in horseracing.

Kinane announced his retirement at the conclusion of an historic 2009 season. He guided champion thoroughbred Sea The Stars to a sweep of the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and Eclipse Stakes.

"I have decided this is the right time to retire from race-riding," Kinane said in a statement to Press Association Sport. "At 50 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."

A 13 time champion Irish jockey, Kinane finishes his riding career with four wins in the 2,000 Guineas, three of the Epsom Derby and in 1990 won the Belmont Stakes with Go and Go.

Kinane rode High Chaparral to victory in the 2002 Breeders' Cup Turf and the following year the pair finished in a dead-heat for win with Johar. He won the 2001 Breeders' Cup Juvenile on Johannesburg.

"I leave with a huge sense of gratitude to all the great horses I have ridden," Kinane said, "all the great trainers whose genius developed those champions and everybody else in racing, from the stable lads to the owners, who have made me deeply thankful for my involvement in the game."