THE opening day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival marked the end of an era as veteran jockey Tommy Treacy announced his retirement from the saddle.

Vigil was unable to provide the rider with a fairytale send-off as he had to settle for third in the maiden hurdle won by A Toi Phil but it was fitting that Treacy should bow out at this venue.

Over the course of his career he enjoyed quite a few high-profile triumphs on the likes of Native Upmanship, Castlekellyleader, Boro Eight and Belmont King while he also numbers two Powers Gold Cups amongst his six top flight wins.

However, perhaps the crowning moment of Treacy’s career came at Leopardstown in February 1997 when he partnered Danoli to that never to be forgotten victory in the Hennessy Gold Cup.

“It’s just great to be here on a day like today,” reflected Treacy who also won the Pierse Hurdle on Studmaster here in 2006. “This has been a very lucky track for me and it’s a dream to be riding for a trainer like Dermot Weld on my last day in the saddle.

“Leopardstown has always been very special for me and the reception I got after coming on Danoli when he won the Hennessy in 1997 was one of the best days you could ever hope to have.

“I’ve had a great career with a lot of big race winners and just walking in here today a lot of really great memories came flooding back to me. I’m getting out with no regrets and I’ve been working in Dermot Weld’s since January so it’s nice to retire with the security of a job there,” he added.

Treacy, who also finished second on Improver on the opening event on the card, was given a guard of honour by his weighroom colleagues as he made his way back from the parade ring having returned from his ride on Vigil.