Jamie Moore, who was aboard Sire De Grugy (Fr) (My Risk {Fr}) when he won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, has announced his retirement from the saddle on medical advice from a fall sustained last autumn.
A fall at Lingfield in November resulted in fractured vertebra, broken ribs, and a broken nose for Moore, who hangs up his boots after a 22-year career. His team of doctors advised him not to return to race riding as a result.
Moore announced his retirement via a statement issued by the Professional Jockeys' Association (PJA) and it read, “It is with huge regret that, following my last fall in November 2023, I will not be returning to race riding.
“After being checked by top neurologists and spinal specialists, and taking advice from Dr Jerry Hill and the doctors who've seen me the most in my career–Dr Rizwan Ghani and Dr Lucy Free–I have been medically advised not to race ride again.
“I would like to thank everyone who has stuck by me and supported me throughout my 22-year career. Obviously I have been very lucky to have such a good trainer in my father Gary, who's always supported me, along with his brilliant, faithful owners. My mother Jayne and my wife Lucie have also always been there for me.
“Back to the start and my first boss, Mr [Martin] Pipe, who helped me become champion conditional. To every other trainer and every owner I've ridden for; my agent Dave Roberts; my sponsors; all the brilliant stable staff and the PJA and the Injured Jockeys Fund, who have always been so supportive.
“Finally, to the best place you could wish to work–the weighing room. To all the physios, tea boys and ladies, nurses and weighing room staff who have made each day of going to work much more enjoyable.
“And to all the brilliant jockeys and valets past and present who I've made lifelong friends with. I will hugely miss the weighing room. There have been some ups and plenty of downs but everyone is always there for you. You've all been top class.
“It's impossible to put into words how thankful I am to each and every one of you.”
The 39-year-old is the son of trainer Gary, and the brother of Josh, Ryan, and Hayley, who are also involved in the racing industry. Moore began riding in 2001, and was the champion conditional rider by the end of the 2003-2004 season during his time with Martin Pipe. Sire De Grugy, named British Jumps Horse of the Year in 2014 and co-owned by Gary, and Moore combined for 17 victories together, a highlight for both Moore and his father. Moore, who is credited with 968 winners throughout his career, also rode Al Co (Fr) (Dom Alco {Fr}) to victory in the 2014 Scottish Grand National for trainer Peter Bowen.
PJA executive director Dale Gibson added, “Jamie unfortunately suffered more than his fair share of long-term injuries and missed the equivalent of four years race riding during his career as a result, but his remarkable fortitude and appetite for race riding shone like a beacon throughout his career.
“Jamie was and will remain universally popular within the weighing room and wider racing industry. His down to earth, no-nonsense approach alongside his genuine love of the horse [should] be wholeheartedly applauded.
“He also served his colleagues and the PJA exceptionally well as southern-based National Hunt safety officer since December 2019, as well as being a dependable source for general advice to the PJA and younger jockeys both on and off the racecourse.
“Jamie has been a pleasure to represent and will be sorely missed in the weighing room. We wish him, his wife Lucie and their family all the very best and we look forward to seeing him on a racecourse soon in his second career.”
Gary Moore told Racing TV, “I'm very proud of him, you're proud of your children anyway, aren't you? He was champion conditional one year, thanks to Martin Pipe. He always wanted to do it from the age of 14 and he's done remarkably well.
“It's a shame he didn't quite make the thousand [winners], but at least he's come out in one piece.”
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