'I've done everything I set out to do' - jockey who made remarkable return after a stroke set to retire

Aidan Macdonald, who made a remarkable return from a life-threatening stroke to resume his riding career, is quitting the saddle and hopes to become a bricklayer.

He declared himself "100 per cent fit" but admitted he has not enjoyed race-riding as much since his comeback.

Macdonald, 23, will have his final mount on Perfect Man for his boss Micky Hammond in the conditional jockeys' handicap hurdle (1.10) at Catterick on Friday.

It marks the end of an incredible story that began when he collapsed in Middleham High Street in April 2021 and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

The claimer went through an intense period of rehabilitation in the 18 months afterwards, working hard on his fitness in conjunction with the Injured Jockeys Fund.

He finally got the all-clear from medical tests that showed his carotid artery had healed and was granted a licence to ride again by BHA chief medical adviser Jerry Hill.

That culminated in his return to action on the hurdler Mac Suibhne at Sedgefield in September of last year, since when he has had three further mounts.

Aidan Macdonald made his return on Mac Suibhne at Sedgefield last SeptemberCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

But Macdonald has not ridden since December and has now decided to end his comeback.

"I've not enjoyed it as much as I used to and things haven't been the same since I came back from injury – my confidence and a number of things," he said on Thursday.

"It was a hard decision but I had to be realistic with myself. I've done everything I set out to do when I came back. I proved people wrong who said I couldn't come back and I wanted to ride my favourite horse Knocknamona and I've ridden him twice.

"I'm 100 per cent fit and everything's in working order and I'm just calling time while I'm in one piece."

Looking to the future, he said: "I'm going to be a bricklayer. It's something different, one of my friends is doing it and he says it's quite a good job and it's well paid so I thought I'd give it a go.

"I would like to take the chance to thank my boss Micky Hammond for all my opportunities over the last few years and to any other trainer who has kindly put me up.

"I can't thank the IJF and jockey coach Russ Kennemore enough for helping me get back riding and back to race fitness and also my very supportive family and friends."

Hammond was not surprised by Macdonald's announcement and said: "We've had a few chats over the last couple of weeks and I'm comfortable with his decision.

"He's done tremendously well to get back from where he was and there's more to life than being a jockey or riding horses. He's been with us since he left school, we've known him for a good while and he's always worked hard.

"At the moment he's going to stay with us in racing but there are lots of options open to him. I'm sure whatever he chooses to do he'll do well at."

Looking ahead to Macdonald's final ride, the trainer said: "I'm sure it will be an emotional day tomorrow. He's riding Perfect Man, who is aptly named, and also a super jumper who should hopefully give him a good ride – he's not the force of old but he's nicely handicapped."

Macdonald, who is originally from Hawick in the Scottish borders and has been based with Hammond on a permanent basis since 2016, rode his first winner on It's All About Me at Hexham in June 2019 and rode winners at Sedgefield and Catterick in 2020-21.

Read the remarkable full story:

Conditional Aidan MacDonald takes first steps after being rushed to hospital 

'I couldn't lift my foot' - stroke victim Aidan Macdonald aims to race again 

'I'm over the moon' - Aidan Macdonald rides out for the first time since stroke 

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