Bryan Cooper retires: Gold Cup-winning rider calls time on career with immediate effect aged 30 | Racing News
Gold Cup-winning jockey Bryan Cooper has announced his retirement from race riding with immediate effect.
The 30-year-old enjoyed success on the biggest stage with Don Cossack at Cheltenham in 2016 and landed a graded success as recently as January with the Noel Meade-trained Thedevilscoachman.
In a statement on Twitter on Friday, Cooper said: “After much careful thought and consideration for some time, I am officially announcing my retirement from race riding with immediate effect.
“I’ve been lucky to have had a wonderful career over the past 14 years as a jockey.
“To my family, the owners, trainers and stable staff who have supported me throughout my whole career, I can’t thank you enough for some incredible days.
Cooper takes in the applause from the Cheltenham crowd after Don Cossack’s Gold Cup triumph
“It is time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me.”
Multiple Cheltenham Festival-winning jockey Barry Geraghty was among those to pay tribute to Cooper, commenting: “Best of luck Bryan in your next chapter. You’ve had a brilliant career and a lot to be proud of.”
