Mick Kinane, who during his fifteen years as a stable jockey to the master of Rosewell House at the Curragh has ridden a huge number of winners, announced his retirement from the horse racing world this week. He has also successfully worked for other two leading Irish trainers as Aidan O’Brien and John Oxx.

Dermot Weld, one of the many horse racing personalities who are paying tribute to the 50 year old jockey, says he thinks Mick Kinane has the potential to be successful in any profession. Weld and Kinane have known each other since 1983, when they joined forces and shared successful times all over the world, including Australia, the United States and Hong Kong.

“He was a world-class rider and a wonderful stable jockey in his 15 years with me, but he was much more than that,” Weld commented. He was a highly intelligent individual who would have been a success in any walk of life.” Weld also commented that Kinane rode more than 1,000 winners for him.

“If I were to pick four I would go for Vintage Crop’s win in the Melbourne Cup (1993), Go And Go in the Belmont Stakes (1990), Committed in the Prix de l’Abbaye (1985) and Additional Risk in the Hong Kong Bowl (1991). They were all fantastic rides,” Weld added.

Jockey Smullen, who now works for Welden, competed against Kinane for many years in the Irish Flat racing and knows him quite well. Smullen even stated that when he started riding Mick Kinane was probably his idol. “He is an absolute professional and his riding set the standard, definitely in Irish racing and also in European racing.”

Smullen also said that it was a pleasure and an honor for him to ride against Kinane and added that he was always helpful, both in the early day when Smullen was taking his first steps in the racing world and definitely when he got the job with Dermot Weld. “His door was always open and not only has he been a great rival, but a good friend.”

Johnny Murtagh, one of the most renowned jockeys in the world, also praised Kinane and his career and said he was an inspiration to him when he was growing up. “When you were riding against him, you always wanted to beat him.”