Racing: Fitzgerald to retire from riding at season's end

The jump jockey Mick Fitzgerald, one of the most respected figures in the weighing room, is to retire at the end of the season in April. Fitzgerald, 36, is one of the elite band of riders to have won both the Grand National, on Rough Quest in 1996, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup, on See More Business in 1999. His career spans almost 20 years.

Despite not having been champion, Fitzgerald is one of the six most successful jump jockeys of all time with over 1,000 winners. He has been stable jockey to Nicky Henderson for over 10 years.

Fitzgerald said: "An offer came up to be director of racing for Club ISM and it was too good to turn down. You can't go on forever and I've had a fantastic run. I'm not finished yet. I've some fantastic horses to ride for Nicky this year."