Tributes have come in thick and fast for jockey Mick Kinane, who announced his retirement this morning after 34 years in the saddle.
The 13-time champion jockey in Ireland rode over 100 Group One winners, including four in the English 2,000 Guineas, three in the Epsom Derby and an unprecedented six on board Sea the Stars this season.
He claimed the biggest races in Japan and Australia while Sea the Stars was his third success in the Prix De L'Arc de Triomphe, the richest horse race in Europe.
John Oxxsnapped up Kinane's services when his association with the Ballydoyle team ended in late 2003. A few years later, Sea The Stars was to provide them with their most dazzling moments.
"Michael Kinane was just the complete professional in every way,” said Oxx. “Not only was he a top jockey with great skill and determination, but he always conducted himself perfectly. He had a great work ethic and he never let anybody down."
Oxx naturally pointed to the six-time Group One winner as their high-point.
"We had Azamour a few years ago who won a lot of good races, but Sea The Stars has been such a great landmark horse and it has been wonderful to have Michael
there to ride him," the trainer told Sky Sports News.
"The Arc is the one everyone will remember. There was so much at stake, no one wanted to see the horse fall at the last and get beaten, everyone wanted to see him finish up with a win and he was just so confident on the day.
"The horse was in a difficult position, the race was messy and didn’t go according to plan but he just kept his nerve and guided him through the gaps and won easily. I suppose that is the day he will always be remembered for.
"Fifty is a fair age for a jockey, but some of them will carry on a bit longer, particularly if they are not struggling with their weight.
"You couldn’t have predicted it or planned it, but it has been great for him to have had the best horse he ever rode in the final year of his career. It’s the sort of end that he deserves."
John Hammondand Kinane shared victories with Montjeu in big races such as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
“His whole career is a great example to any young jockey starting out,” he said. “Not only very talented, but he was very hard working and very discreet.
“He was champion apprentice and he is now 50. He has stayed at the top all the way through his career thanks to a lot of hard work, application, dedication and discretion.
“It was great fun working in collaboration with him with Montjeu. He did a wonderful job on the horse.
“He was a superstar with the horse and there were great moments together.”
Channel 4 Racingpundit John McCririckbelieves Kinane has made the right decision in retiring now after the success he enjoyed on Sea The Stars.
"What a fantastic way to go out on a horse for the ages,” he said. “What defines Michael Kinane is the very few mistakes he made. When he was riding, time and time again he had his horse in the right place.
"He was uncanny in that and also with his judgement and his iron nerve. It didn’t matter what the race was or wherever it was, he was nerveless. The huge occasions he went through, the pressures he had with Sea The Stars and on so many other horses in the past."
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, described Kinane as "a master of his trade".
He won his first Derby at Epsom on Abdullah’s Commander In Chief in 1993 — a victory he believes was a big turning point in his career.
“I think Mick’s career has been highlighted by his high standards in his use of tactics and his great race-riding ability,” said Grimthorpe.
“This was obviously highlighted by Commander In Chief but that was a long time ago and it was seen to huge effect recently with his performance on Sea The Stars in the Juddmonte International at York.
“He was up against three Aidan O’Brien horses in a four-runner race. There was of course the brilliance of his horse to go through the gap, but then Mick was able to take a pull. It was something else and a joy to watch.
“Mick has been of tremendous benefit to the sport and a master of his trade.”
Pat Smullenbattled with Kinane for many years in Irish Flat racing and now fills the role at Dermot Weld's Rosewell House stable that used to belong to his opponent.
“Mick Kinane was probably my idol when I started riding,” said Smullen. “He is an absolute professional and his riding set the standard, definitely in Irish racing and also in European racing.
“It has been a pleasure and an honour to have ridden against him.
“Mick has always been helpful, both in the early days and then definitely when I got the job with Dermot Weld.
“His door was always open and not only has he been a great rival, but a good friend.”
Commander In Chief's trainer Henry Cecilwas fulsome in his praise of Kinane.
He said: “Michael Kinane, in my opinion, was a brilliant, top-class jockey, a gentleman and a great ambassador to racing.
“He rode quite a few Group One winners for me including the Derby on Commander In Chief.
“Thank you very much Michael. Racing will miss you on the racecourse.”
Leading trainer Mick Channondescribed Kinane as a "credit to the game".
“He’s been a great jockey and has gone out at the top with Sea The Stars,” Channon told At The Races. “He’s been an amazing jockey for as long as I can remember and he’s a smashing chap as well.
“It’s sad to lose someone like that, but what a great career he’s had and he’s probably going out when he’s feeling good.
“I wish him all the best and I think he’s been an absolute credit to the game.”