Charlie Swan said goodbye to a glittering career in the saddle as he retired from riding at Aintree today.
The Irishman, nine-times champion jumps jockey on home soil, will continue with the training career which he has combined with riding over hurdles for the past five years.
He hopes to expand his string to 60, many of which will be owned by JP McManus, the man whose colours Swan has most enjoyed being associated with.
Undoubtedly the high points of Swan's career came with his involvement with triple Champion Hurdler Istabraq, owned by McManus and trained by Aidan O'Brien.
McManus paid tribute to Swan's career, saying: "I am delighted for Charlie, he is a master tactician, the most knowledgeable of men and he has always pointed me in the right direction.
"I know of no man whose judgement I respect more and it is great that he has retired in one piece.
"He can put all his attentions to training now and I have no doubt that he will be successful in that sphere too - I am very pleased to have horses with him."
Swan, 35, failed to sign off in the style in which everyone hoped he might. His mount, Take Flite, fell when out of contention in the opener.
And game mare Like-A-Butterfly carried the McManus colours into third in the Martell Cognac Aintree Hurdle, behind Sacundai and Rooster Booster.
"It's a shame I couldn't give him a winner but she ran a good race and will go chasing next season," the owner said.