IAN McCARTHY has retired from race-riding. The 33-year-old bowed out at Galway this week after a career which yielded over 90 winners over 17 years.

McCarthy, from Galway, told Racing TV: “My wife Nicky and I had our second little girl a couple of weeks ago. It was always on my mind to have them at the races for my last ride. Full credit to Galway Racecourse. I emailed a week ago and they had no hesitation in providing tickets for the family.

“I have been surrounded by some great people throughout my career. I went to Kildare in 2004 with my bag packed and I knew no-one but I made great friends.

“I rode 90-odd winners and every one of them had a story behind them. I wouldn’t have swapped it for the world. I have never fallen out with anyone and the weighroom has provided me with great memories and friends.”

A graduate of RACE, McCarthy had some pony racing experience before being sent to Dessie Hughes’ yard on the Curragh for his apprenticeship. He remained attached to that yard until Hughes passed away in 2014.

He rode his first winner for Hughes and the late trainer also provided him with his final winner before he lost his claim.

McCarthy went freelance in 2014. He was based with Ted Walsh and rode out for numerous trainers including Oliver McKiernan and Ken Condon.

McCarthy said: “I wanted to go out on one for Ted and he told me ‘I’ll have one for you at Galway’. I wanted to do it small and simple, and it was perfect.”

He struck up a great partnership with the Jarlath Fahey-trained Jennies Jewel, winning four times, placed on 24 occasions and just touched-off in the Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown.

“Jennies Jewel was the highlight. She took me to Ascot and Cheltenham. I was still claiming when she came along and gave me the chance to ride in Grade 1 company. Her owners were very loyal to me. They could have had anyone.”

In 2016, McCarthy was a member of the Irish jump jockeys’ team who won that year’s Australia v Ireland Jump Jockeys Challenge, winning the final race of the series at Morphettville to clinch the title for Ireland.

McCarthy has his own breaking and pre-training yard in Kildangan, and he has also saddled point-to-point winners.

“It’s hard to combine both riding and my own business. I believe you should be fully committed to what you do and I can concentrate fully now on the 25 to 30 horses I have at home, I have some great owners and trainers backing me.”