Jamie Moore Announces Retirement from Horse Racing on Medical Advice

Champion jockey Jamie Moore, renowned for his victories at the Cheltenham Festival, has sadly decided to retire from horse racing due to medical reasons. The 39-year-old jockey, son of trainer Gary and brother to Josh, Ryan, and Hayley – all esteemed figures in the racing industry – made this difficult decision following a fall he experienced last year.

Moore began his career in 2001 and quickly gained recognition when he became the champion conditional rider for the 2003-04 season while working with Martin Pipe in Somerset. It was under Pipe’s tutelage that Moore achieved his first significant wins in graded events.

Although often riding for his father’s stable, it was Sire De Grugy who brought immense success to both Jamie and Gary Moore. Their partnership reached its pinnacle when they triumphed at the Queen Mother Champion Chase during the prestigious Cheltenham Festival in 2014. This victory marked one of their remarkable seventeen wins together.

During his illustrious career, Jamie Moore rode an impressive total of 968 winners. One notable achievement was winning the Scottish Grand National aboard Al Co for trainer Peter Bowen in 2014 – a memorable season which coincided with Sire De Grugy’s exceptional Grade One-winning streak that led him being crowned as British Jumps Horse of the Year.

A severe fall at Lingfield towards the end of November last year resulted in several injuries including a fractured vertebrae, broken ribs, and a broken nose. After seeking advice from top neurologists and spinal specialists such as Dr Jerry Hill alongside doctors who have closely monitored his career, including Dr Rizwan Ghani and Dr Lucy Free, Jamie Moore was given the unfortunate medical recommendation to refrain from race riding.

In a heartfelt statement released through the Professional Jockeys Association (PJA), Moore expressed his deep regret regarding this decision. He extended his gratitude towards all those who supported him throughout his impressive 22-year career. From the unwavering guidance of his father Gary and loyal owners to the constant presence of his mother Jayne and wife Lucie, Moore recognized their instrumental role in shaping his journey.

Moore also acknowledged Mr Pipe as he fondly reminisced about their early days together which paved the way for him becoming a champion conditional rider. He further thanked every trainer, owner, agent, sponsor, stable staff member as well as organizations like PJA and Injured Jockeys Fund, emphasizing how they provided invaluable support throughout various ups and downs in his career.

The weighing room held a special place in Moore’s heart as he conveyed appreciation for all physios, tea boys and ladies, nurses along with weighing room staff members who made each working day more enjoyable. He concluded with heartfelt words for fellow jockeys past and present whose camaraderie has created lifelong friendships – an aspect he will greatly miss upon retirement.

Dale Gibson, Executive Director of PJA commended Jamie Moore’s resilience despite enduring numerous long-term injuries during his racing career that led to missing nearly four years on track. Gibson praised Moore’s down-to-earth demeanor coupled with genuine love for horses – qualities that garnered widespread admiration within both the weighing room and wider racing industry.