Derby-winning jockey Ray Cochrane, hailed as a hero after a plane crash at Newmarket in June, has quit the saddle on medical advice, it emerged today.
Doctors have warned him that another fall could leave him permanently disabled.
Cochrane, 43, suffered a neck injury in a light aircraft crash in Newmarket, - he was nominated for a bravery award for his actions in saving fellow passenger Frankie Dettori and attempting to rescue pilot Patrick Mackey, who died.
The Ulsterman has had two falls since returning to race-riding. He has not ridden since August and decided to quit after an examination by Jockey Club medical adviser Dr Michael Turner.
'Dr Turner explained that my back is severely weakened and he was really worried that any further impact could see me end up in a wheelchair,' he told the Racing Post.
'He told me he`d be very disturbed if I returned to race-riding. I must be sensible and retire, although it is obviously disappointing to end my career this way.'
