Jim Crowley, the Flat racing champion of 2016, has officially retired from professional riding nearly a year after a severe accident. The 48-year-old rider described the choice to step away as the hardest of his life. His career concluded at Goodwood, marking two decades since he secured his first major group victory.
The decision stems from injuries sustained last September at York. Crowley was riding Almeraq when the horse clipped heels, fell, and rolled over him. He required extensive medical intervention, including multiple surgeries on his legs and pelvis, at Leeds General Infirmary. Crowley admitted that despite his best efforts, his body has not recovered the physical standard necessary for competitive racing.
Starting his career as a National Hunt jockey, Crowley successfully transitioned to Flat racing, where he achieved 2,103 victories alongside 253 jump racing wins. He was notably the retained rider for Shadwell Stud and earned 29 Group One titles. Looking ahead, Crowley intends to pursue a career in horse training, aiming to replicate his riding success in a new capacity.
