Joseph O'Brien calls it a day on riding career

Joseph O'Brien, a leading retained rider for Coolmore and his father, trainer Aidan O'Brien, has told Racing Post that his abbreviated career as a jockey is over.

The 22-year-old's career was always expected to be brief due to his height and weight, but he nonetheless enjoyed tremendous success worldwide. In a career that lasted just seven seasons, O'Brien rode the winners of four British classics as well as six classics in his native Ireland.

His most prominent classics success came with Camelot, with whom he captured the 2012 renewals of the 2000 Guineas (G1), Epsom Derby (G1), and Irish Derby (G1). Camelot attempted to become the first British Triple Crown winner since 1970, but finished second in the St Leger (G1).

O'Brien, who also rode Australia to victory in the 2014 English and Irish Derbies, achieved international success with St Nicholas Abbey. A two-time winner of the Coronation Cup (G1) at Epsom, St Nicholas Abbey also captured the 2011 Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at Churchill Downs and the 2013 Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) at Meydan. O'Brien also rode famed Australian export So You Think to Group 1 wins in England and Ireland.

O'Brien will reportedly acquire his training license next month.

(Photo courtesy of www.independent.ie)