Racing: Swinburn calls it a day
Monday, 24 April 2000 12:23Walter Swinburn appears to have conceded defeat in his long running battle with weight by announcing that he has quit the saddle. The 38-year-old triple Derby winner, and the youngest at 19 years of age in 1981, told his fellow jockeys of his decision after riding at Kempton on Saturday.
His agent John Hanmer said last night: He rode at Kempton and went into the jockeys' changing room and said "that's it I'm not riding again and he rang me this morning and told me that he was packing up. I think it's basically the weight. He was riding well and he had plenty of rides. I had a handful of rides booked for him, including two for tomorrow, but obviously I've told the people concerned that he's not riding anymore."
Swinburn had taken a break from race-riding in August 1998 after having recurring problems with his weight, and the jockey, who burst on the scene when riding Shergar to an unforgettable victory in the 1981 Derby, only returned when he believed the time was right. After a low-key return to the saddle on the all-weather at Wolverhampton last month, Swinburn appeared to be picking up his career and had ridden five winners.
When he was back in the glare of publicity at Doncaster's opening meeting of the Turf season, Swinburn revealed that he had to give up racing to regain his appetite for the sport. At the time he said "I love riding, and while I had to let go for a little while and basically to go back to the drawing board with my weight." But he had hoped to get through the season, adding: "I feel the platform has been built and I'll just really try and enjoy it."
Sadly, it has not worked out for Swinburn.
