2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup winning jockey Bryan Cooper has announced his retirement from horse racing with immediate effect.
The Tralee born jockey has 532 wins in his career including nine at Cheltenham and 39 Grade 1's. The 30-year old is perhaps best remembered for his victorious ride of Don Cossack at Cheltenham seven years ago.
In a statement on Twitter Cooper said, After much careful thought and consideration for some time, I am officially announcing my retirement from race riding with immediate effect.
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“I’ve been lucky to have had a wonderful career over the past 14 years as a jockey. To my family, the owners, trainers and stable staff who have supported me throughout my whole career, I can’t thank you enough for some incredible days.
"It is time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life, and I’m looking forwards to seeing what the future holds.”
Son of trainer Tom Cooper, he claimed the title of Ireland’s champion conditional rider in the 2010-11 season, but he was sidelined for seven months after breaking his leg in a fall from Clarcam in the 2014 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
Cooper enjoyed 94 winners during his best ever season in 2015-16 and he had partnered 26 winners this term.
He did not ride at last week’s Cheltenham Festival and was unseated by Farceur Du Large on his final ride at Naas on March 12.
His final winner came six days earlier at Leopardstown when he partnered Wa Wa to win a handicap hurdle.
Don Cossack’s trainer Elliott took to Twitter to wish Cooper the best for the future.
He said: “Happy Retirement @92bryan92. We’ve had some great days together. Best of luck for the future from all of us at Cullentra House Stables.”
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