A speech by a jockey who is retiring from a career in horse racing. (Sample speech of 800 words, approximately).
Ladies and gentlemen,
Having come to the end of a career which I have found to be immensely satisfying - financially, I have to admit, as well as personally, - it is really marvellous to have my friends, my peers, my rivals, of course, and so many people here to wish me well on my retirement from The Sport Of Kings.
I have been lucky to have been in a career, where so many illustrious people have gone before me - mentors, some of them, others an inspiration. I have been involved with horses for most of my life - indeed for all the most important years of my life, but I am certain that all present here tonight - colleagues, bookmakers, pundits, commentators, correspondents and friends are already only too aware of all that!
I still remember some of my very early experiences with horses. I remember the instructor who paraded a horse before us and introduced us to the skill of riding these beautiful, loyal and absolutely fascinating animals by telling us that we must develop a special rapport with each individual one. Often times since those early days I frequently think of the words of that famous British journalist, Robert S.Surtees, who said that: 'There is no secret so close as that between a rider and his horse'. Indeed, over the years I have also come to realise that there are other words that any jockey should ensure will never be forgotten, since they correctly describe the mental attitude that is required to become a success at this sport. These are the words of Mr. Dick Francis, himself a very successful jockey, who reminded us that: 'A jump-jockey can throw his heart over a fence, and then go over and catch it!' Faint heart never won fair lady, as the saying goes!!
I have travelled a long road since then, and I have discovered along the way that to the betting public - who are the vast majority involved in racing - the jockey can either be the star or the villain, depending on one's successes and luck, on any given day. I have also discovered that there is nothing more satisfying in life than being first past the post, notwithstanding the enormous sacrifices that must be sustained and endured, to maintain weight, fitness and stamina, before any such successes can be achieved. Despite all that - despite the rigorous training schedules, both for horse and man, and despite the physical endurance and sacrifices - there is always someone to blame when the punter has contributed, unwillingly, to his bookmaker's retirement fund. But, on the other hand, there is also the supreme satisfaction of reaching the winning post, showing clean pairs of hoofs to the rest of the field!
Yes, indeed, I've had some enormously satisfying experiences during my career in racing, both on and off the track. I've met, and competed against, some inspirational people - the creme de la creme of the racing world, so to speak. The incomparable, Gordon Richards, who for 26 out of 34 seasons was Champion Jockey, and, of course, the inimitable Lester Piggott, (of whom the sports writer, John Hislop, said: ' He gives the impression that if he rode facing backwards, he would still win the races that count' ). Greats of the steeplechase, such as Dick Francis - jockey turned crime-writer! Bob Champion, who beat cancer to win the English Grand National in 1981.................. I could go on! But you're just hoping that I won't, I know.
Over the years in this exciting and rewarding sport, I have often listened to colleagues, past and present, speak of their greatest race. So often this has been a great source of inspiration to me. Not just to me, but to so many, whose lives are bound up with the desire to ride horses and with the determination to win! There was the great Terry Biddlecombe, winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1967 on Woodland; Pat Eddery, winner of the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Grundy, and the monumental Pat Taaffe with the most famous - to my mind - of all horses, Arkle!
For as long as we have been riding horses there has been racing, and people have laid wagers on the likely winners. I have been lucky to have been part of that. I have been lucky to have been part of a close fraternity, a band of brothers - the men and women who ride racehorses. I am now about to end, what I might call active involvement in my sport, but I will never lose my interest in it. I will remember the great exponents of the true art of racing, whom I've had the privilege to know as friends and acquaintances, and I will also remember those against whom it has been an equal privilege to have competed.
To the future, I look forward to the enjoyment of appreciating the rising stars of my sport, and to the excitement of following their fortunes on the racetracks of this world. I will carry with me many memories of an exciting and ever challenging career - memories of many great friends who were also true professionals, and memories of exciting times among them.
I thank you all most sincerely for your wonderful friendship and support, and for your stimulating companionship always. I have enjoyed the love and support of my wife, ____, and my family throughout my career, and I now take this opportunity to publicly thank them for that, and to say to them that I look forward to spending more time with them than ever before. I also look forward to developing my other sport - fishing - to an even finer skill of mine, and I know that this will be distinctly quite achieveable, since I now am the proud possessor of this magnificent carbon-fibre shafted fishing rod, which you all have so generously presented to me, this evening. My deep appreciation I give to each and every one of you, for your kindness and companionship always.
One of the greatest pleasures in life is to have a career that is total enjoyment from start to finish, and when that career comes to an end through retirement, there is no greater contentment than to be surrounded by one's family, friends and acquaintances, as it is my great honour to be tonight. Thank you indeed for that, and may we all enjoy this love, friendship and companionship many years into the future.
