Jockey Noel Fehily ends 20-year career with win in his final race at Newbury

Noel Fehily ended his 20-year riding career with a winner at Newbury on Saturday as his final mount, the 1-3 favourite Get In The Queue, landed the National Hunt flat race by four-and-a-half lengths.

Cork-born Fehily, 43, has ridden more than 1,300 winners including two Champion Hurdles on Rock On Ruby and Buveur D’Air, and two King George VI Chases on Silviniaco Conti. 

Fehily said: ‘It’s fantastic. Obviously we came here with a plan for him to win and I would have been very disappointed if he didn’t. He is a very good horse and is going to be one of the ones I’m going to really miss next season.

Noel Fehily ended his 20-year riding career with a winner at Newbury on Saturday

‘It’s a very special day, to have all the family here. It is a very special day and one I won’t be forgetting in a long time.

‘My career would have been deemed a failure if I got beat on him as a 1-3 shot. The lads have been very good and have been taking the mickey out of me all day and that is what I’m going to miss about the job. They are a great bunch of lads.

‘I think I’ve held it together pretty well, not like at Cheltenham the other day. It has been great. So many friends have made the effort to come here, it’s unbelievable.

The 43-year-old Irishman was greeted by a guard of honour before the final race of the day

‘I’ve my mind made up this is what I’m going to do and I won’t change my mind.’

Fry said: ‘I said to my wife Ciara last night, and said, ‘I can’t cope with this happening not going right’. She said, ‘you thought he was going to win the Champion Bumper last week, so calm down’.

‘I’m just delighted for Noel, as he has been a brilliant jockey and is a great friend.

‘I’m honoured to provide him with his last ride and come away with a winner of a good race on a lovely horse for the future. It’s a perfect fairytale ending.’