'I wanted to continue but I couldn’t, that’s the long and the short of it' - Jamie Moore brings distinguished career to a close

Jamie Moore says he will miss the camaraderie of the weighing room and is “gutted” that he has been forced to retire from race-riding on medical advice after sustaining serious injuries in a fall at Lingfield last November. 

But the 39-year-old counts himself “lucky that I can walk away” from the sport after being counselled by both neurological and spinal experts that pursuing a comeback would be too big a risk to take. 

A seven-time Grade 1 winner in a career that began in 2001, Moore announced his retirement in a statement issued by the Professional Jockeys Association in which he said it would be “impossible to put into words how thankful I am to each and every one” of the people in racing who had helped him. 

Moore spent six weeks in a neck brace after fracturing his T7 vertebra but told the Racing Post it was the verdict of a specialist neurologist which was pivotal in the decision to end his career.

“I’ve done a lot of spinal damage over the years but it’s the head injuries which have stopped me,” said Moore. “I’m grateful for all the doctors, they’ve been very, very helpful to me.

Jamie Moore in a neck brace following the fall at LingfieldCredit: Edward Whitaker

“And it was unanimous; the spinal surgeons and the neurologist as well as [BHA chief medical officer] Jerry Hill and the doctors I see at the races every day, Riz [Ghani] and Lucy [Free]. Everyone was in agreement.

“Obviously I’m gutted. But at the same time I’m lucky that I can walk away. I wanted to continue riding but I couldn’t, that’s the long and the short of it.”

Moore’s father Gary revealed that Jamie had been in Newmarket last week completing early modules on the BHA course for trainers and expressed the hope that at some stage in the future he and younger brother Josh, who was also forced to quit the saddle in January 2023 having been placed in a medically induced coma the previous summer following a fall at Haydock, would take over the licence at Cisswood.

• Gary Moore: 'Jamie's come out in one piece, which is more important than riding a thousand winners'

“We’re a long way off that,” said Moore. “I wasn’t expecting to go on the trainers' course, it’s the way things have worked out. I did the first stage of it but I’m a long way off that and Dad’s still the boss. I’m not too sure what I’m going to be doing yet and I’m keeping my options open.”

The second of four sibling jockeys behind leading Flat rider Ryan, and with racing presenter Hayley and Josh behind him, Jamie Moore made his early breakthrough when riding for Martin Pipe, partnering Well Chief to win the Elite Hurdle and It Takes Time in the Ascot Chase. He was crowned champion conditional jockey in 2004 and won the Scottish and Welsh Nationals for Peter Bowen and Kerry Lee respectively.

Jamie Moore with the BetVictor Gold Cup after victory on Baron AlcoCredit: Grossick Racing

But it is Moore’s association with his father’s horses and, most memorably, crack two-mile chaser Sire De Grugy, for which he will be chiefly remembered. 

Asked for a favourite success among his 968 career total, Moore said: “I think it was Sire’s first Tingle Creek. Growing up, the Tingle Creek was a race I loved so much and I think the first time he won it – although it was a brilliant year all round – that would be the one. 

“The Champion Chase is a close second but his first Tingle Creek meant so much to me.”

That 2014 Queen Mother Champion Chase success on Sire De Grugy was the only Cheltenham Festival victory in Moore’s career, although he was cruelly robbed of a second when he was unseated from Goshen in freak circumstances with the 2020 Triumph Hurdle at his mercy. 

Among the champions past and present to pay tribute, Sir Anthony McCoy told Moore it had been “an absolute pleasure to watch you riding big winners like Sire De Grugy”, while reigning champion Brian Hughes recalled the way the weighing room turned out in force at Cheltenham after that famous Champion Chase success, such was the desire to hail Moore’s achievement.

Hughes told Sky Sports Racing: “He is just an absolute gentleman in every way, shape and form, a great rider and as tough as teak.” 

In his statement Moore referred to he bond shared with his fellow professionals, as well as the other members of the weighing room community.

Champion Chase winners Jamie Moore and Sire De Grugy share their moment of glory at Cheltenham in 2014Credit: Patrick McCann

“I'd like to thank everyone who has stuck by me and supported me throughout my 22-year career. Obviously I have been very lucky to have such a good trainer in my father Gary, who’s always supported me, along with his brilliant, faithful owners. 

“My mother Jayne and my wife Lucie have also always been there for me. Back to the start and my first boss, Mr Pipe, who helped me become champion conditional.

“To every other trainer and every owner I've ridden for; my agent Dave Roberts; my sponsors; all the brilliant stable staff and the PJA and the IJF [Injured Jockeys Fund] , who have always been so supportive.

Moore added: “Finally, to the best place you could wish to work; the weighing room. To all the physios, tea boys and ladies, nurses and weighing room staff who have made each day of going to work much more enjoyable. 

“And to all the brilliant jockeys and valets past and present who I've made lifelong friends with. I will hugely miss the weighing room. There have been some ups and plenty of downs but everyone is always there for you. You've all been top class.

“It’s impossible to put into words how thankful I am to each and every one of you.”

Jamie Moore CV

Full name Jamie Edward Moore

Born January 31, 1985

Parents Gary Moore (Horsham trainer) & Jayne Moore (former amateur rider)

Siblings Ryan, Josh & Hayley Moore

Apprenticeship Conditional jockey with Martin Pipe

First winner Stormy Skye (trainer Gary Moore) amateur riders' Flat race, Nottingham, November 5, 2001

First winner over jumps Blue Streak (trainer Gary Moore) amateur riders' handicap hurdle, Plumpton, November 24, 2002

First big-race winner Well Chief (2003 Elite Hurdle)

Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Sire De Grugy (2014)

Tingle Creek Chase winner Sire De Grugy (2013 & 2015)

Clarence House Chase winner Sire De Grugy (2014)

Celebration Chase winner Sire De Grugy (2013 & 2014)

Ascot Chase winner It Takes Time (2005)

Scottish Grand National winner Al Co (2014)

Welsh Grand National winner Mountainous (2016)

bet365 Gold Cup winner Step Back (2018)

BetVictor Gold Cup winner Baron Alco (2018)

Totesport Trophy (now Betfair) Hurdle winners Heathcote (2007), Wingman (2008)

Finale Juvenile Hurdle winner Porticello (2021)

Other notable winners Copeland (2004 Scottish Champion Hurdle), Horus (2004 Edward Hanmer Memorial Chase), Dunbrody Millar (2007 Topham Chase), Numide (2008 Greatwood Hurdle), Fiepes Shuffle (2008 Desert Orchid Chase), Hector's Choice (2012 Silver Trophy Chase), Ubak (2013 Mersey Novices' Hurdle), Sire De Grugy (2013 Desert Orchid Chase), Goshen (2021 & 2022 Kingwell Hurdle, 2022 Contenders Hurdle, Ascot Hurdle)

Last winner Kotmask, Plumpton, November 20, 2023

Last ride Mi Sueno (fell) Lingfield, November 21, 2023

Highest-rated mount Sire De Grugy (RPR 174 in 2014 Clarence House Chase)

Most valuable prize £199,325 (2014 Queen Mother Champion Chase, Sire De Grugy)

Grade 1 wins 7 (5 on Sire De Grugy)

Champion conditional jockey 2003-04

Highest position in jump jockeys' championship 7th in 2007-08 & 2021-22

Most wins in a season 80 in 2021-22

Total wins over jumps in Britain 959 (plus 1 in Ireland and 9 on Flat)

Compiled by John Randall

Read this next:

Gary Moore: 'Jamie's come out in one piece, which is more important than riding a thousand winners' 

Three of the best: looking back at Jamie Moore's finest moments in the saddle 

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