A record-breaking Cheltenham Festival jockey has announced his shock retirement aged just 32 – almost a year after divorcing a millionaire owner.
Adrian Heskin was labeled as racing's next big thing after becoming the youngest ever festival winner at the age of 17 when he piloted A New Story to victory in the 2010 Cross Country.
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That put the Irishman in the spotlight and after even more success in the big races he affiliated with top owner Max McNeill.
The pair enjoyed a relatively long and lucrative spell together, including winning the 2017 Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree's Grand National meeting at The Worlds End – a win worth more than £56,000.
And they achieved another Grade 1 together when the same Tom George-trained horse claimed the £57,000 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December 2019.
But they split 12 months ago – almost a year to the day – with a businessman McNeill calls it a 'financial decision'.
Heskin won 432 races during his 15-year career and has earned more than £1.3 million from rides in Britain in the past five years alone.
He also won the 2010 bet365 Gold Cup on Michael Hourigan's Church Island.
While his first Grade 1 success came on Martello Tower – a horse owned and trained by Willie Mullins' sister-in-law Mags – in the 2015 Albert Bartlett.
The jockey announced he was retiring from his time in the saddle in a short and sweet statement on X, with punters saying it was 'sad to hear'.
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Heskin, from Kilworth in County Cork, wrote: “After 15 years of racing I have decided to end my career.
“I am very proud of my career and have achieved much more than I could have imagined as a child.
“I rode for the best trainers on both sides of the Irish Sea and for some fantastic owners along the way. Of course also for some fantastic horses.
“My love for horses is stronger than ever and I owe everything I have to them. Here's to the future.”
McNeill was among many who wished Heskin all the best for the future.
A message from his McNeill Family X account read: “Congratulations to Adrian on an excellent career in the saddle.
“We've had some great times together, including two Grade 1 wins with The Worlds End and many other brilliant days.
“Adrian is an excellent rider and he has a very bright future ahead of him and we wish him all the best!”
Heskin struggled to find many rides after the McNeills split.
His last Graded victory came aboard Mullins' Hauturiere in Limerick last December, where he won by 35 lengths.
While his last ever ride went down as a winner thanks to victory over 11-8 favorite Gaillimh A Run at Tramore for trainer John Queally last month.
Former Grand National-winning trainer Jonjo O'Neill also praised Heskin as a 'true gentleman', adding: “Congratulations on a brilliant career, Adrian. We wish you all the best for what comes next.”
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