Brennan bows out with a winner at Chetenham

GOLD Cup-winning jockey Paddy Brennan signed off a 27-year career on a high at Cheltenham yesterday.

The Galway native, 43, announced his retirement after Manothepeople (9/1), trained by Fergal O’Brien took the Weatherite Air Conditioning Handicap Chase by a length and a half, his 1,526th and last winner. ‘It has been a rollercoaster, so many ups and so many downs, but I feel I’ve got down to the edge of the ocean and walked down to the beach,’ said Brennan. ‘I’ve been mulling it over for weeks and asked so many people’s opinions if I was doing the right thing. I went for a coffee with my wife this morning and thought it’s time for the next generation of jockeys.

‘It was extra special to finish on a winner here today,’ he said. Brennan, who rode his first winner at the Curragh in 1997, enjoyed the highs of six Cheltenham Festival wins, including Imperial Commander in the 2010 Gold Cup and Inglis Drever in the 2007 Stayers Hurdle. ‘Cue Card, when we beat Vautour and Ruby Walsh (in the 2015 King George VI Chase at Kempton Park), is a race I’ll never ever forget. Getting him up that day was something I was very, very proud of.’

‘I think I’ve left my mark in the weighing room with plenty of shouting as I’m a strict kind of lad but I love them all.

‘I am so pleased to have worked with the best in the game and I’m so proud of all the young lads in the weighing room. It’s a tough gig,’ said Brennan (right).

‘Being a jockey is 95 per cent disappointment and I’ve had 95 per cent disappointment for so many years. I’ve had some enjoyment but now I’m ready for the next chapter.’