Racing: Marley breaks at last

Roger Marley retired from the saddle at the age of 29 after riding at Huntingdon yesterday. He leaves the sport with an unusual record for a jump jockey - an unblemished medical log, having never broken a bone during a 12-year riding career.

The jockey, nicknamed Bob by his imaginative colleagues, explained: "I had a fall at Lingfield yesterday and I made my decision last night. I am not riding enough winners and I didn't want to get carried out. I've never broken anything - and didn't want to - and I felt I wasn't getting enough rides to warrant the risk.

"I would have had only about 40 rides this season and even though I love the game it comes down to money in the end."

Marley is to concentrate on his horse-dealing operation.

Lorcan Wyer, however, has committed himself to a return to the saddle despite the horrific jaw and pelvis injuries he suffered in a fall at Aintree in November. "After the accident I didn't feel like race-riding and I thought it wouldn't be the end of the world if I never rode in a race again," he said yesterday. "But now I am a lot more positive and there is no question whatsoever that I will ride."