Roberts dismounts for the last time

The legendary jockey Michael Roberts has retired through injury, from the saddle. The South African suffered crushed vertebrae in his neck after a fall at Wolverhampton and was advised that another fall could leave him paralysed.

Speaking to the Racing Post Roberts explained: "My doctor's verdict after a scan on my neck is that due to the damage caused by the all I am unable to ride."

"I still get a tingling sensation when I put my chin on my chest and that means I have restriction in my movement. If I had a fall or got a bang from a horse I could be paralysed.

Roberts remarkably won the South African jockey's title 11 times, before moving to Britain to ride full time in the mid-eighties. He really caught the public's attention in England when piloting Mtoto, in the 1987 Coral Eclipse stakes, he cut down Henry Cecil's brilliant Derby winner Reference Point. Reference Point had until this point looked unbeatable with the great Steve Cauthen up in the saddle.

The partnership with Mtoto went on to add the 1988 Coral Eclipse stakes and the King George and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Roberts conceded he "was by far the best I sat on. His acceleration was incredible."

Roberts also scored major wins on Indian Skimmer, Waajib, Lyric Fantasy, Barethea and Opera House (in the King George). He also won the 2000 Guineas on Mystiko and the Juddmonte International on Terimon in 1991, and the Japan Cup on Lando in 1995.

In 1992 Roberts enjoyed a glorious season. He became champion jockey riding an amazing 206 winners from 1,068 rides and compiling £1,843,723 in prize money in the process.

Roberts continued to enjoy successes throughout the nineties, and attributed his success to the quality of owners he rode for. "I really had a fantastic career and I've ridden for the top owners like the Queen and Sheikh Mohammed - the best people in the business.

Roberts will invariably linked with trainer Alec Stewart, the trainer of Mtoto. "Alec Stewart, who did so well with him (Mtoto), has been a great supporter of mine. We had a great time together and I can't thank him enough."

Many of his winners in England were booked by his agent, the late Graham Rock. Roberts felt a great deal of gratitude to him, especially in helping him become champion jockey in England.

He may have finished 32 winners short of 4,000 in his career, but those 3,968 gave pleasure to racing fans the world over.

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