Jockey Andrew McNamara bowed out from the saddle in fairytale fashion with victory on Most Honourable at Tramore this evening as he prepares to embark on a new life as a trainer.
The 32-year-old had been expected to call it a day at the track on Sunday, but elected to bring the curtain down on his top-class career after riding the Shark Hanlon-trained Most Honourable in the Midge Nolan Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
McNamara had Most Honourable (5-1) in the perfect position from the start, just behind the leaders before hitting the front before the second-last flight.
Luimneach Abu mounted a strong challenge but could not spoil the party as Most Honourable got home by half a length.
A 15-times Grade One-winning rider, the County Limerick pilot famously enjoyed victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase when Newmill scored for John Joseph Murphy at Cheltenham in 2006.
Other big wins came on the likes of Beef Or Salmon, Sizing Europe and the Hanlon-trained Hidden Cyclone and he exits the scene having been associated with some of the best and most popular horses around throughout his 16-year career.
McNamara, who has been considering his decision for some time, with his weight and a back problem an issue, said: "I thought he was going nowhere climbing the hill then he winged the one down it and within two strides he woke up and it was all over.
"It was nice of the Shark to find me one. I had a brilliant time, I absolutely loved it. I had a good few winners here at Tramore as well, it was always good to me."
He added: "I consider myself very privileged in my career. I left college to pursue my childhood dream as a jockey and have ridden just under 500 winners. I rode some brilliant horses along the way, that's why you get into it and I was lucky to ride a few of them.
"Horse racing is my way of life and I am looking forward to moving on to the next phase, training racehorses.
"The plan is to do the trainers' course in September. I have been buying and selling a few horses in the last few years and am looking forward to running and selling them on - I really enjoy that aspect of the industry.
"Together with my wife Rhona, I have been busy throughout the summer at the sales and have bought some nice horses and am looking forward to the future with them.
"With a bit more time on my hands recently I've put a lot of thought into the training side of it and have been doing a little bit of studying on all things equine."
Of Newmill at Cheltenham, he said: "It was the definitely the best performance any time I rode a horse, I was convinced going over that even though he was a big outsider he would take a lot of beating. He jumped spectacularly and put up a really good round, that was a massive thrill."
Hanlon said: "It's great. I'm delighted to do it for Andrew. He said to me two weeks ago he was going to retire. I said we have to give you a winner and I'm thrilled to be able to do it for him. This horse only cost 600 quid a couple of months weeks ago. The first winner I ever had he rode him."
