Joe Fanning brings down curtain on long career in saddle

Gold Cup-winning jockey Joe Fanning has brought the curtain down on a long and illustrious career in the saddle that brought about almost 3000 winners.

The 55-year-old’s career was put on hold when he was discovered to have prostate cancer, undergoing surgery earlier this year and subsequently making a full recovery.

The Irishman had hoped to make a return to the race-riding, but has now decided it is the right moment to call time on a career in the saddle that nearly 40 years.

In a statement, Fanning said: “After discussing it with my family and close friends, I’ve decided to retire from race riding with immediate effect.

“Although I made a full recovery from prostate cancer at the end of last year, I feel now is the right time, with so much of the current season already behind us.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to enjoy a career in the UK since arriving to join Tommy “Squeak” Fairhurst in 1988, and to have ridden close to 3,000 winners worldwide.”

Fanning will mostly be remembered for his long and successful association with firstly Mark Johnston and then continuing as a key member of the team when the trainer’s son Charlie took over the license at Kingsley Park at the start of 2023.

It was for the Johnstons that Fanning enjoyed some of the biggest successes of his career, most notably Group One joy with The Last Lion in 2016 and in both the Prix Royal-Oak and at Royal Ascot in the Gold Cup aboard star stayer Subjectivist.

Fanning continued: “There are so, so many people to thank, but it goes without saying that my association with Mark, Deirdre and Charlie Johnston, spanning three decades, has been a huge part of my career and the source of so many memorable winners.

“I’ve been lucky enough to experience countless special days in racing, but The Last Lion winning the Group One Middle Park Stakes in 2016, and Subjectivist’s victory in the Ascot Gold Cup in 2021 in Dr Jim Walker’s colours, will always stand out.

“Looking back, it feels especially fitting that my final ride was a winner for Johnston Racing aboard Loquella at Newcastle last November.

“Make no mistake, I’m not disappearing from racing. I’ll continue helping my wife, Sarah, with our sales and pre-training business, and I will also carry on riding work at Johnston Racing, where I was this morning.

“Finally, I’d like to thank every owner, trainer, stable staff, jockey, racecourse official and racing fan who has supported me throughout my career. I’ve been privileged to do a job I’ve loved for so many years, and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunities and friendships the sport has given me.”