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Classic-winning rider Paul Hanagan set to retire on Friday

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42-year-old, Paul Hanagan will retire from race riding on Friday.

Jockey - PAUL HANAGAN Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Hanagan's biggest success came when steering Taghrooda to triumph in the 2014 Oaks before the pair went onto King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes glory later that year.

A fall back in February 2020 resulted in three fractured vertebrae and a lengthy spell out of the saddle prior to making his comeback in August.

He said: "As you can imagine it's quite emotional. It's difficult, I think any professional sportsperson will tell you, especially doing it as long as I've been doing it for.

"There's a few things involved in making my decision, I had a pretty bad fall about two years ago and I've never quite been the same after it, I fractured my back in three places.

"It's not so much painful riding, but it's getting to the level of fitness you need to be at to be a professional jockey and I don't think I was getting to that standard."

Hanagan will have his final ride onboard the Richard Fahey-trained Wootton'Sun in the opening Sky Bet Handicap at York.