Jockey Gary Carter has announced his retirement from the saddle after a 24-year career.
The rider, who partnered his first winner at Ripon in 1983, is currently awaiting a Jockey Club hearing into allegations concerning eight of his rides during a two-month period in 2003.
Carter settled in Spain with his young family after quitting Britain at the end of last season and he cited a lack of opportunities as one of the main reasons for his retirement.
"It has long been my intention to retire while still in one piece," he said. "The frustrating events involving some Jockey Club charges concerning my conduct, which were dropped then re-formed, have dealt a fatal blow to my chances of securing more than a couple of regular rides this year and made my decision inevitable."
Carter will face a revised set of charges at a Jockey Club hearing which is due to start on October 24.
The 39-year-old jockey was initially told in July 2004 that a disciplinary hearing would consider allegations that the horses were non-triers.
However, the charges were subsequently modified and reissued after the Jockey Club gathered further evidence for the inquiry and sought legal advice.
Despite the controversy surrounding Carter in recent years he enjoyed a fruitful career that encompassed two champion apprentice titles in 1985 and '86 as well as big-race winners around the world.
"I am pleased that I can look back at a full career and among my highlights would be winning the EP Taylor Stakes in Canada on Braiswick in 1989 and my third in the Breeders' Cup on Most Welcome the same year," added Carter.
"I was lucky enough to land six Royal Ascot winners and won the Group One Gran Criterium in Italy on Night Style in 1999."
"I am proud to have ridden winners all around the globe including most of Europe, Barbados, Canada, Dubai, Hong Kong, India and Singapore."
"The opportunity to work all over the world has been the best thing about the job."
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the trainers and owners that have supported me over many years and also my family, not to mention my mates in the weighing room. "
Filed by Katie Byrne
