Veteran jockey retires

Lucinda Russell’s longstanding stable jockey, Peter Buchanan, rode his last races in Britain on the final day of the Perth Festival.

Buchanan was third on the well-backed The Cobbler Swayne and fourth on his final ride in the bumper on River Dun.

Now retired in Britain, he may have a couple of rides at Punchestown next week.

Buchanan, with 391 winners to his name, said: “I’ve been with Lucinda for 13 years and before that I had a year with Howard Johnson. “I’ve had a great time of it. “I’ve enjoyed it enormously, and Silver By Nature, who I rode to win the Grand National Trial at Haydock in successive years, was one of my favourite horses.”

“I also won the same race on Forrest Gunner, though my favourite memory of him was winning the Grand Sefton at Aintree.

“It was a great thrill just to ride over those fences and it was special to win a race like that.”

He added: “I have been thinking about retiring for a while, and going out here at the end of the season seemed an appropriate time.”

In a special ceremony, in which he was carried aloft by his fellow riders, who all came out of the weighing room.

Senior jockey Brian Harding then presented him with a framed photo montage of a selection of the best horses he had ridden, signed by fellow riders.

Lucinda Russell said: “You couldn’t have asked for a better stable jockey.

“He has been with me for 13 years and was always loyal and helpful and has been a tremendous asset to the stable.

“His record in long-distance chases in particular was remarkable and I will miss him enormously.”

Breeder Geoff Brown said: “Peter is an excellent horseman and one who looks after his horses well.

“He has a good temperament and never told you a load of nonsense about your horses.”

He added: “His decision to retire has come out of the blue because I have Sammy B running at Perth on May 11 and I thought Peter would be on board to add to the number of winners we have enjoyed together.”