CASTLEMAHON jockey Mark Enright, 31, announced his retirement at the Curragh on Sunday.
He told the Racing Post that the daily grind of being a journeyman had become too demanding.
“It’s hard, driving around the country, sweating and riding bad horses. I did 8st 11lb on Saturday and I haven’t eaten for a few days. I think I had a sandwich coming home from the races the other night. I had a McDonald’s earlier in the week, but nothing for a few days,” Enright explained.
“I decided it at Christmas and since I made the decision, I’ve just been enjoying it. I’ve been having great craic and great fun. I have to say I’ve enjoyed every bit of the last few months. Fozzy has been great, Ger Lyons has been brilliant. Ger put confidence in me that I haven’t had for a while.”
Enright’s career high was guiding the Gordon Elliot-trained 33/1 shot Clarcam to a shock win in the 2018 Galway Plate.
He said: “The Galway Plate was brilliant, but I’d say riding in my first Grand National was probably my highlight. I rode Thunder And Roses for Mouse (Morris). I thought I’d never ride in a Grand National so to do that was special. There have been some great days and some bad days, but I’ve enjoyed it.”
On his future, Enright added: “There are a couple of things in the pipeline and we’ll see what happens. I’ll continue to ride out for Ger in the mornings. I love it over there; he’s a great man.”
Enright’s first winner was Stephen Nolan’s Doorock at Tipperary in Summer 2009.
