Manning ends glittering career on winner at Galway

Kevin Manning announced his retirement from the saddle after steering Vocal Studies home in the seven-furlong maiden in Galway.

Manning (55) has had an incredible career in the saddle and was champion apprentice twice before being appointed as stable jockey to Jim Bolger in 1993.

He married Bolger's daughter, Una, and the axis with the trainer has been a constant to this day.

In a glittering career, he rode 8 Classic winners, 36 Group Ones, and 1,700 winners worldwide.

He said: "I've had a great career, I can't complain, things have gone well and I've enjoyed some great days. I have been very lucky to ride some very good horses along the way and owe Jim and Jackie (Bolger) everything.

"I was suspended for this weekend, which is the end of grass season, and I had some good rides today and said to myself it is time to call it quits if one of these wins."

He added: "I have been with Jim for a very long time, he has stuck by me through thick and thin and owe him everything. It has been a great career."

"I don't think it would be right to pick any one winner as being extra special as they are all great memories with all those good winners, but also the smaller ones were special."

Manning's wife Una said: "Kevin said to me the other day 'maybe I'll finish up this year'. He was trying to decide when and loves to do a bit of rough shooting (with hunting dogs), that's his thing, and that season starts tomorrow so it was nice to go out on a winner today.

"It is good to have him out in one piece as he had a bad fall here last year when he broke his collarbone. It had to be pinned so was nasty but it hasn't given him trouble since.

"He has had to do light weights through the years, before the weights increased in recent times, and is 40 years doing it. He won't be stepping on the scales every morning but he never really spoke about it or complained."

She added "I suppose Trading Leather winning the Irish Derby (in 2013) was a highlight for me as it was owned, bred and trained by the family and all his and our families were there on the day. It was a huge day.

"He will find plenty to keep himself busy."

Vocal Studies was a warm order at 4/6f for this 14-runner contest and stamped his authority on it and will go into the history books as Manning's last winner.

He was wound up in third by Manning inside the final quarter of a mile and found plenty for pressure to hit the front entering the straight.

The Vocalised three-year-old was ridden for more at the furlong pole and soon asserted as he put in good late work to beat Racing Royalty (8/1) by two and a quarter lengths. Teddy O'Neill was a further three and a quarter lengths back in third at 10/1.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes