Irish jockey Kinane announces retirement

Irish jockey Mick Kinane is retiring after 34 years in the saddle, the Racing Post has reported.

Kinane, 50, ended his career with a bang, winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October aboard Sea the Stars.

"I have decided this is the right time to retire from race-riding," the Racing Post quoted Kinane as saying. "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 and that's what I want to do."

In the U.S., Kinane won the Belmont Stakes in 1990 aboard Go and Go as well as three Breeders' Cup races - the 2001 Juvenile with Johannesburg and the Turf in 2002 and 2003 with High Chaparral.

Kinane won the 2000 Guineas four times, the English Derby three times, the King George five times, and the St James's Palace six times. Kinane also took 14 Irish classics as well as a record seven Irish Champion Stakes.