Jockey Cathy Gannon, who severely injured her foot in a starting stalls incident last May, told Racing Post she has called time on her race riding career as a result of complications from that injury. Ireland's champion apprentice in 2004, Gannon later relocated to Britain, where she rode 440 winners and earned three Lesters-in 2010, 2011 and 2015-as Lady Jockey of the Year.
“It's very hard, but I have to retire,” Gannon told Racing Post. “I have to think of my family and look to the future. There are a lot of jockeys forced out far worse than me, so I'm lucky it's not severe.”
Gannon said she plans to return to Ireland and work as a jockey coach and work rider.
“I'm just not going to be able to race-ride,” she said. “My foot can't take the pressure of being on the balls of your feet, and I'd always be vulnerable to another knock in the stalls. I've been doing some jockey coaching and I'd like to continue that in Ireland, and hopefully I'll be able to do a few lots in the morning. It's just a case of keeping on top of it, I have plenty of other injuries from my time in racing, my shoulder's not great, and I'm getting older, so it makes sense.”
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