British-based jump jockey Lorcan Wyer has announced his retirement from race-riding today.
The Irishman, who rode his first winner in Britain on Omerta for Homer Scott in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 1986, has ridden regularly for firstly Peter Easterby and, following his retirement, for his son Tim since then.
Wyer is to return home to take up a position with the Turf Club.
'I`ll be starting work in the non-too distant future for the Turf Club,' Wyer said.
Explaining his decision he went on: 'It`s a combination of things really - nothing in particular - I just thought the timing was right.'
The 35-year-old is looking forward to his new post which is due to start next month.
He said: 'I`m going to be a racing official which will cover a number of jobs including starting, judging and stipendary steward.
'I`ll be moving back to Ireland, somewhere in the Naas area. My mum and dad live around there and it is where my wife (Nora) comes from.'
Wyer has many fond memories and said: 'I`ve been lucky enough to ride two winners at the Cheltenham Festival.
'An Irish lad coming over to ride an Irish-owned and trained horse like Omerta at the Festival was special.
'But when Barton won (Royal & SunAlliance Novices` Hurdle) last year that was very, very special. It was the most wonderful day.'
Wyer added: ``I was lucky enough to ride for people as loyal as Peter and Tim.
'I`ve had a ball and I`m finishing in one piece.'
Tim Easterby was keen to pay tribute to the retiring jockey.
He said: 'He was a wonderful stable jockey. He always gave you 100 per cent.
'He was a high-class jockey - very reliable.
'I`m not surprised he`s retired before he had another spill but I was surprised he announced it today - he told father this morning.
'I`m sorry to see him retire because he was everything you want in a stable jockey - very hard working.
'I wish him luck.'
Wyer also rode regularly for Saltburn trainer Mary Reveley, who said: 'He rode quite a few winners for the stable and always had a good percentage.
'He`s a smashing lad and I`m sorry he`s retiring but I wish him well.'
Peter Niven, Mrs Reveley`s stable jockey, added: 'It`s a shame he`s packing up but I wish him all the best for his new job.
'It`s been a pleasure to ride with him and know him. I`ve done a lot of travelling with him and it`s always been good fun.'
Former leading jockey Mark Dwyer said: 'He`s always been a good friend.
'He always rose to the occasion on the track and his wins on Omerta and Barton at the Festival are the ones he`ll always remember.
'He`s had his knocks over the years and if there`s a good job in the offing then he does right to take it.'
Wyer, who has ridden over 550 winners in Britain since 1986, has had his fair share of ups and downs over the years.
He spent nine hours on the operating table having his shattered face reconstructed after his most shockingfall from Thornton Gate at Aintree in November 1996 and was sidelined for more than three months.
'It`s surprising what a plastic surgeon can do,' he recalled.
His best season came in 1995-96 when he partnered 66 winners and he enjoyed his last success on the Easterby-trained Edmo Heights at Sedgefield on August 3rd.
It was his comeback ride after breaking his collarbone and being stood down for 21 days with concussion after falling at Market Rasen at the end of June.
Wyer`s other big-race victories included Kildimo in the 1993 Becher Chase and Precious Boy in the Imperial Cup and Scottish Champion Hurdle two years earlier.
He also built-up a highly-successful partnership with the Malcolm Jefferson-trained Dato Star, on whom he won the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in 1998 and 1999, the Pertemps Christmas Hurdle and Haydock`s Champion Hurdle Trial, both last season.
