FORMER jockey Robbie Power starts a new job on Monday as a member of the bloodstock team at Tattersalls Ireland.

Power, who retired from the saddle in April, will assist the sales company with inspections, promotions, pre-sale and sales day matters.

From Summerhill, Co Meath, Power rode the winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National in a glittering career as a professional jumps jockey.

He rode Silver Birch to win the 2007 Grand National, in what was only his second ride in the Aintree feature, and in the spring of 2017 he partnered Sizing John to Gold Cup victories in Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown.

Power steered 31 Grade 1 winners to success before he called it a day during this year’s Punchestown Festival, aged 40.

Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins said: “We are thrilled to welcome Robbie to the team. His appointment comes at an opportune time as our breeze-up and store sales inspections commence in the new year.

“Robbie’s experience, horsemanship and passion for racing perfectly complements the current team and further strengthens our Irish inspection team of John O’Kelly, Jamie Codd, Timmy Hillman, Chris Farrell, Richard Pugh and Barry O’Neill.

“To have someone of this calibre join our team who has ridden multiple Grade 1 winners including many Tattersalls Ireland graduates is invaluable and we look forward for what is to come.”

Power added: “It’s a huge pleasure to be joining Tattersalls Ireland and I am really looking forward to this next chapter in my career.

“To have ridden in a generation with the best jockeys’ ever to grace the racecourse, and to ride for Jessica Harrington for basically my whole career, receiving her mentorship and guidance through the highs and lows, I was incredibly lucky. When one door closes, another one opens, and I take on this new role with great enthusiasm.

“I have been coming to the sales at Tattersalls Ireland since a young age and it feels like I have come full circle to now be working alongside the team full-time.

“A key part of my role will be inspecting some of the best stock in Ireland, both flat and National Hunt, and following them as they begin their careers on the racetracks which is hugely exciting.”