BBC SPORT | Other Sports | Horse Racing | Maguire retires from racing

Adrian Maguire has announced his retirement as a jockey on medical grounds.

The Irishman was forced to quit the sport after failing to get over a neck injury suffered in a fall from Luzcadou at Warwick in March.

Your say: Send your tributes to Maguire

Despite recovering from the accident, the 31-year-old's neck remains susceptible to further injury.

He has been told he would no longer be granted a rider's licence if he wanted to return to racing.

This news has come as a shock as I so wanted to ride again

Adrian Maguire

Maguire took his decision on the advice of the Jockey Club's Independent Neurological and Spinal Surgeon, professor Peter Hamlyn.

"A substantial portion of my neck is fixed rigid and the remainder of the neck is now more susceptible to fracture," said Maguire.

"I've discussed the medical reports with the Jockey Club's chief medical adviser, Dr Michael Turner, who has explained that under no circumstances would he be able to pass me fit to ride again.

"With the hazardous nature of jump racing, I have to accept that resuming my career is no longer an option.

Adrian Maguire rides Truckers Tavern to victory at Towcester in January
Maguire was still riding winners this year before his fall

"I have enjoyed a fantastic career as a jump jockey and I never wanted this day to come.

"As they say, all good things must come to an end and now, a new beginning."

Maguire rode 1,024 winners in his career, with the most notable coming in 1992 with his narrow Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup victory aboard Cool Ground.

He also won Kempton's King George VI Chase twice, on Barton Bank in 1993 and again last year on Florida Pearl.

But despite his achievements, Maguire will also be remembered for losing out to Richard Dunwoody - 197 winners to 194 - in the race for the jump jockey's title in the 1993/94 season.

Maguire's career in pictures

Champion trainer Martin Pipe led the tributes to Maguire.

He said: "It's very upsetting for everybody in racing as he was a very good jockey indeed.

"He was just unlucky with falls and we're all very sad for Adrian but the main thing is he's still got his health.

"I'm sure he'll stay in racing and I'm sure he'll make a great success of it," said Pipe, who supplied Maguire with one of his first big winners, Omerta, at Cheltenham in 1991.

The greatest never to finish champion jockey

Maguire said he had no immediate plans but would be considering his future over the next few months.

The jockey thanked his consultant neurosurgeon, Mr Chocksey, who operated on him after his fall.

"Mr Chocksey's skill enabled me to remain able bodied for which I will be ever grateful."