Kildare jockey Fran Berry retires on surgeon's advice following fall in January

Leading jockey and Kildare native Fran Berry has announced his retirement after 23 years in the saddle.

He rode 1,020 winners in Flat racing in Ireland and another 200 winners in Britain, as well as 37 jumps winners in Ireland and 4 in Britain.

Berry (38) said he made the decision after consulting with his surgeon regarding spinal injuries suffered in an incident at Wolverhampton on January 29 this year.

Due to the medical advice, he will call time on a fantastic career with immediate effect and focus on work in the media.

Berry said: "Whilst 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 I to experience the world and gain many friends over that time.

"Sincere thanks to my sponsors Sky Bet, Sporting Life and all the trainers, owners, agents, stable staff, doctors and physios who have helped me along the way in the UK, Ireland and Japan.

"To my family, Laura, Jordan, Emma Jane for believing in me, Dad, Mum, Alan and our friends for all their support and sacrifices that they made for me over that time."

Berry won his first major race at just 18 - the Coral Cup in the 1999 Cheltenham Festival.

He later concentrated on the Flat, becoming second jockey to Mick Kinane at John Oxx’s stable before taking over as leading jockey for Oxx in 2010.

In September 2010 he enjoyed a Group One winner on the Jessica Harrington-trained champion two-year-old Pathfork in the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh, where he beat Casamento and Zoffany.

Berry went on to enjoy more high-profile success on Dragon Pulse, also for Harrington, and the Richard Hannon-trained Kool Kompany, who took the Group Two Railway Stakes in 2014.

In 2016 the County Kildare-born rider moved to Britain to become stable jockey for Ralph Beckett before leaving by mutual consent to work as a freelance.

Berry spent six winters in Japan where he rode 79 winners, including 19 Listed/Group races.

Berry’s international experience also includes a two-month spell in Singapore during 2010, where he rode four winners at Kranji, and the inaugural 2018 International Jockeys Challenge.