Grand National jockey labelled ‘the next big thing’ forced to announce immediate retirement on live TV aged 35

AIDAN COLEMAN has announced his immediate retirement from horse racing.

The 35-year-old jockey was live on Racing TV when he emotionally revealed he has been forced to call an early end to his career.

PA

Aidan Coleman has retired from horse racing[/caption]

racing tv

He announced his decision on live TV[/caption]

Coleman explained that following a life-changing fall at Worcester in June last year he has been unable to return to the sport.

He said: “I had another operation around early December and since that my progress has really plateaued.

“I can do the gym because it is a stable environment, but as far as walking and uneven surfaces or running – I can’t run or jump or anything like that.

“I can’t ride a horse really. Since Christmas any time I have got on a horse It’s not really gone well.

“I just can’t really do it and I definitely wouldn’t be able to do it in a race or anything like that.

“Speaking to Jerry Hill [Chief medical adviser for the BHA] and my surgeon the chances of that improving are negative now and so that’s it.”

When asked if that meant his career was now over, he added: “Yeah, on medical grounds.

“My knee will never stand to the demands of being a jockey or anywhere near it so that’s it.”

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Coleman was a multiple Grade 1-winning rider and was previously labelled as “the next big thing”.

His early retirement puts a sad end to a career that saw him ride 1,251 winners in Britain and Ireland.

His most successful season was between 2015 and 2016 when he partnered 129 winners alone.

Punters may best remember his Champion Chase victory on the Henry de Bromhead-trained Put The Kettle On in 2021 as one of his most iconic moments.

Fans took to social media to voice their sadness at the news of Coleman calling it quits on his career.

One wrote: “Really sad news but the right decision onto the next chapter.”

While another added: “Tragic!!! Top jockey and top bloke.”

A third posted: “Top man. Top rider. All the best with whatever you choose to pursue in the future.”

Marc Aspland - The Times

Coleman had a superb career[/caption]

And a fourth wrote: “A strong man and superb human, I do hope he finds a job within racing management, very best wishes Aidan!”

Coleman himself isn’t sure what his next step will be but has revealed that despite the scary prospect of the unknown, he is sure he will find his feet.

He added: “It’s been emotional as it’s my last week as a jockey, which is all I’ve ever wanted to be.

“It’s on to the next chapter now and I’ve no idea what that’ll be. I’ve never thought about it as I committed everything I had to being a jockey, then committed everything I had to rehab. It’s a scary time in my life but it’ll be fine.”