Royal Ascot Gold Cup-winning jockey Joe Fanning retires

Royal Ascot Gold Cup-winning jockey Joe Fanning has announced his immediate retirement, bringing the curtain down on a career spanning almost four decades and close to 3000 winners.

The 55-year-old has not ridden since November after undergoing surgery for prostate cancer earlier this year and said the timing was right despite making a full recovery.

“After discussing it with my family and close friends, I’ve decided to retire from race riding with immediate effect,” Fanning said.

“Although I made a full recovery from prostate cancer at the end of last year, I feel now is the right time, with so much of the current season already behind us.

“I’ve been privileged to do a job I’ve loved for so many years, and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunities and friendships the sport has given me.”

Only six jockeys have ridden more Flat winners in Britain than Fanning.

He moved to Yorkshire in 1988 and has called it home ever since, with his first winner coming over hurdles at Sedgefield before a fall at Newcastle prompted a switch to the Flat.

Fanning’s biggest victories included the 2021 Ascot Gold Cup and Prix Royal-Oak aboard Subjectivist and the 2016 Middle Park Stakes on The Last Lion.

Much of his success came during a three-decade association with Mark Johnston, later continued under Charlie Johnston, where he earned a reputation as one of Britain’s strongest front-running jockeys and one of the most durable figures in the weighing room.