Veteran jockey Pat Eddery today announced he is to retire from the saddle at the end of the season at the age of 51.
The 11-times champion, who is second only to Sir Gordon Richards in the list of winning-most flat riders in Britain, revealed he is to call time on his illustrious career at a press conference at Windsor racecourse this afternoon.
The Irishman was associated with some of the great names of the turf after riding his first winner in Britain at Epsom in 1968.
He won all the English Classics, including three Derbys courtesy of Grundy (1975), Golden Fleece (1982) and Quest For Fame (1990).
And Eddery demonstrated he still retained all his old ability when he gave The Great Gatsby a magnificent ride to finish a close second in this year's renewal of the Epsom Classic.
Victory abroad also came Eddery's way and Longchamp proved a happy hunting ground as it was the scene of four victories in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
The third of those, in 1986, saw a memorable performance from one of the very best racehorses of modern times, Dancing Brave.
His style of riding - bouncing in the saddle in an all-action finish - may not be the prettiest compared to someone like Frankie Dettori, but his record shows there are few as effective and `Pat' has always been regarded as a pal of the punter.
His decision undoubtedly means the end of an era and when this season is over we will never again witness the man who, in his youth, was known as `Polyfilla Pat' because of his desire to go through every little gap in the chase for winners.