Robbie Power announces retirement from racing

Robbie Power announced he will be retiring on Friday after partnering Magic Daze to victory at the Punchestown Festival.

Power, 40, who has won the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Grand National and the Irish Grand National among a host of other major races, has suffered badly with injury in recent years.

Having returned from a lengthy absence with a back injury in January 2021 he was then out between October last year and January 2022 when he fractured his hip.

Winners have been hard to come by since his return - but he almost went out in style when finishing second in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Minella Indo.

He looked as good as ever on Henry de Bromhead's Magic Daze in the Pigsback.com Handicap Chase, but confirmed his final ride will be on Gordon Elliott's Teahupoo in the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport after his victory, Power confirmed that the decision to retire has been made and that Friday will be his last day in the saddle.

"I'll wear these colours on Teahupoo tomorrow and that will be it," he said.

"There's been so many highlights, it's hard to pick one out. Even that day here on Sizing John when he won his third Gold Cup with Djakadam and Coneygree, it's as good as race as I ever rode in and I got a huge buzz out of that.

"I've had so many highs, I've had a wonderful career and hopefully the next two days go well."

Power revealed that injuries, particularly one to his hip played a bit part in his decision to retire.

"It's been torture the last couple of months with the hip pain," he said. "There's been so many people that have helped me along the way to get me though and Hannah [his wife] has been very understanding because I've been fairly grumpy at times."

Trainer Henry de Bromhead immediately paid