AS soon as Effernock Lad passed the winning post in front at Downpatrick last weekend, I knew that my time as a jockey had come to an end. Retirement had been in the back of my mind for some time but I was waiting for the right moment. Winning for the sixth occasion on a horse I have a special affinity with made the decision that bit easier. Now, I plan to take the next steps in a career that will see me remain very much involved with horses.

A friend introduced me to ponies and from that day on I knew what I wanted to do in life. At 15, I joined the RACE Academy, from where I was sent out to Declan Gillespie. Once I completed the course, I moved back nearer to home (County Meath), taking a job with Noel Meade.