Emotional moment Irish jockey retires from horseracing at Punchestown as he says ‘I've had great craic along the way'
JOCKEY Jody McGarvey announced his retirement at Punchestown, insisting "I've had great craic along the way".
The multiple Grade 1 winner rounded out his career by riding the Willie Mullins-trained Mirazur West to third in the handicap chase.
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1
Jody McGarvey, centre, has retired
Credit: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Speaking to RacingTV, McGarvey said he was going out with his head held high - even if his time in the saddle did not end the way he wanted.
He said: "It's something I have been thinking about for a while and at the start of the season, as I do every year, I set myself goals.
"I told my partner Shauna at the start of the year if I don't achieve those goals, I would look to do something else.
"I have had a good career, not a great one, but I have enjoyed most of it. As I say, I set myself a
target
of winners for the year that I would get on a good horse and it just wasn't happening for me.
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"I would rather go out now on my own terms when I feel I am riding well and getting opportunities at
festivals
like this rather than dragging my heels for a couple of years.
"The last thing I want is to go out with a chip on my shoulder so I will go out with my head held high.
"It was a pity I didn't get the fairytale end that I hoped for but, look, I rode a favourite at
"I have gone out in one piece; a lot of people haven't been that lucky. We lost Michael O'Sullivan during the year and that hit hard.
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"I am incredibly grateful that after all the injuries I had, I came out the other side.
"Myself and my partner are expecting a baby
next
month. I was never going to be a jockey forever. I haven't loved every minute of it but I have had great craic along the way."
Shocking moment jockey is hit in the head after horse crashes into railings in chaotic race at Punchestown Festival
McGarvey rode a trio of Grade One winners for
The first came on Great Field in the
Ryanair
Novice Chase at the 2017 Punchestown
Festival
.
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He went on to ride I Am Maximus to victory at Fairyhouse in 2023 and in the Bobbyjo Chase last year.
Along the way, though, he has suffered injury pain, and is glad to have had the experiences he has had while able.
He added: "I have had some horrific injuries.
"I broke my neck, I broke my back on a separate occasion and there were shoulder injuries and six surgeries or something like that.
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"The older I am getting it is harder to come back. I am going out with my head held high. I have enjoyed most of it.
"The game at the top is getting much tighter and there are so many good lads out there.
"It is hard to find your place now and I would like to go out when I am still getting rides and still able to go out on good ones.
"I have worked incredibly hard, I have met a lot of
nice
people and I have been lucky to ride for some good people.
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"I am incredible grateful to those people, moreso
JP McManus
and Frank Berry. Frank has been such a big part of my career.
"Christy Roche got me started. Only for Christy I probably wouldn't have made it as a jockey.
"I would hate to be a young fella starting out now, it is so tough.
"Starting off I probably wouldn't have been good enough to have made it but Christy nursed me and I got there in the end."
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