07 May 2024 , 09:12
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The youngest jockey to ride a Cheltenham Festival winner has announced he is retiring, aged just 32.
Adrian Heskin, from Co Cork, burst onto the scene as a teenager in Ireland and went on to ride for some of the biggest trainers in the sport.
He was just a 17-year-old claiming rider when he captured the Cross-Country Chase on A New Story at Cheltenham in 2010. A month later he starred in the bet365 Gold Cup when he rode Church Island to victory for his boss Michael Hourigan.
While retained by owner Barry Connell, he partnered Martello Tower to his second Festival success in the 2015 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
He then spent seven seasons riding in Britain where he rode for leading owner Max McNeill.
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In that role he enjoyed Grade 1 success on The World’s End, who captured the Long Walk Hurdle, as well as big wins on Threeunderthrufive and Tritonic.
He returned to Ireland when the two split at the end of the 2022-23 season but has ridden only four winners, the latest last month at Tramore, from 108 rides.
Announcing his decision on X, Heskin said: "After 15 years of race riding I've decided to call an end to my career. I'm very proud of my career and achieved far more than I could have imagined as a kid.
Adrian Heskin riding Martello Tower return after winning The Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle Race (Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images)“I rode for the best of trainers on both sides of the Irish Sea and some fantastic owners along the way. Of course, some amazing horses too. My love for horses is stronger than ever and I owe everything I have to them. Here's to the future."
Heskin received lots of good wishes from fellow jockeys on X. Sam Twiston-Davies said: "Wishing you all the very best with everything for the future. Happy retirement here's to the next chapter."
Alan Johns said: "Good luck for the future Adrian."
Former jockey David Crosse said: "Get out in 1 piece. Well done Mick., while trainer Shark Hanlon posted: "Happy retirement, all the best Adrian."