A ROYAL Ascot-winning jockey ‘surprised everyone’ by announcing his retirement on live TV.
Irish rider Shane Kelly, who won the Wokingham on Rohaan in 2021, played it cool when interviewed on Racing TV after the action at Goodwood on Sunday.
Jockey Shane Kelly is congratulated by fellow riders including Oisin Murphy after announcing his retirement from the saddle after 30 years
Shane Kelly rode Rohaan to victory in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot in 2021
🗣️ "Timing feels right."
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 12, 2025
Shane Kelly calls time on his career in the saddle @Goodwood_Races 🏇 pic.twitter.com/DddwVHwszw
Displaying typical self-deprecation, he said he had had an ‘average to OK career’ and was looking forward to his new job breaking in horses and going to the sales.
His modesty wasn’t totally reflective of a brilliant 30 years in the saddle though.
He won multiple Group 2s including the Yorkshire Cup on Geordieland in 2008 – a victory worth just shy of £80,000.
Kelly, 46, also won more than £10.5million in prize money in Great Britain alone over the past 25 years.
He had his first ride in 1995 and banged in more than 1,300 winners overall.
One of his most memorable spells came as part of a notorious Barney Curley gamble in 2014 that resulted in the late, legendary punter winning in excess of £2.5m.
Explaining his reason to call it quits, Kelly said on TV: “The timing feels right.
“I could be riding a bit more if I wanted to, but I’ve got other things going on… pre-training, breaking, and sales.
“I’m still friends with some great people and have ridden for some fantastic owners and trainers.
“I’m very grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given from day one, but I won’t name names as I don’t want to forget anyone.
“Geordieland winning at York was a highlight, I think we had peak caps back then.”
Punters were quick to wish Kelly the best in the future, with one writing on X: “Farewell, then, to the one you’d want if it had to win.”
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