Flat jockey Fran Berry retires following advice by surgeon

Leading Flat jockey Fran Berry has been forced to retire from the saddle with immediate effect because of injury.

The 38-year-old suffered spinal injuries in a fall at Wolverhampton in January and after consultation with his surgeon, he has been advised to quit race-riding.

Having ridden for 23 years, Berry will pursue other ventures – including media work.

Flat jockey Fran Berry retired from the saddle with immediate effect on Monday

Revealing the news in his Sporting Life blog, Berry said: ‘For the past 23 years, I have got to live out my childhood dream of being a jockey.

‘But following recent scans and discussions with my medical team headed by my surgeon Dr Mike Foy, as well as Dr Jerry Hill, I have to accept that the dream is now over and that due to the injuries sustained in Wolverhampton on January 29, I will not be able to make a return to race-riding.

‘While this news is heartbreaking on one level, I am fully aware how lucky I am.

‘Riding has been a fantastic adventure for me, and I am very grateful for the way it allowed my family and me to experience the world and gain many friends over that time.’

After consultation with his surgeon following spinal injuries, he has been advised to quit

Berry rode a Cheltenham Festival winner at 18 on the Christy Roche-trained Khayrawani in the Coral Cup – owned by JP McManus, for whom his father Frank is racing manager.

He later switched to the Flat and was understudy to Mick Kinane at John Oxx’s yard.

Big wins included a Group One success on Pathfork for Jessica Harrington in the 2010 National Stakes, and he also enjoyed successful spells in Japan.

In 2016 he moved to Britain to ride as stable jockey for Ralph Beckett before going freelance and striking up a good partnership with David Menuisier’s Thundering Blue.

Having ridden for 23 years, Berry will pursue other ventures – including media work