Ray Cochrane yesterday spoke of his disappointment at being forced to quit riding as a result a series of falls which have left him with a weakened back.

Doctors have warned him that another tumble could leave him permanently disabled. Cochrane, 43, suffered a neck injury in a light aircraft crash in Newmarket, - he was nominated for a bravery award for his actions in saving fellow passenger Frankie Dettori and attempting to rescue pilot Patrick Mackey,who died.

The Ulsterman, who landed the Epsom Derby and Irish Derby on Kahyasi in 1988 and rode over 1,500 winners in Britain, has had two falls since returning to race-riding.

He has not ridden since August and decided to call it a day after an examination by Jockey Club medical adviser Dr Michael Turner.

"It was disappointing," he said yesterday. "I wasn't surprised. I half knew in the back of my mind that I was going to have to finish.

"It's one of those things but injury-wise the last two or three years have been rough.

"Dr Turner told me that my back is severely weakened and another fall could see me end up in a wheelchair.

"He told me I must be sensible and retire."

Cochrane has enjoyed many highlights in a career dating back to his first success on Roman Way at Windsor in August 1974.

The following year he made his name by partnering the two-year-old Nagwa to nine of her 13 wins that season.

"Riding six Classic winners that was fantastic," he enthused.

"The two Derbys, the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks on Midway Lady - she was a top filly - the Irish 1,000 Guineas on Ensconce and the French 1,000 on Valentine Waltz."

Cochrane also enjoyed success in Australia, where he guided Taufan's Melody to victory in the Caulfield Cup two years ago. "That was a great day," he added. "I've had some very good days."

Cochrane has not ridden since a fall in a post-racing gallop at Salisbury in August.

"I've known since the fall at Salisbury that if there was no improvement I'd have to call it a day," he admitted.

He went on: "It still hurts when I walk and even when I'm sitting in the car. It hasn't gone away just because I've stopped riding.

"I'm going to see a back specialist on Friday night who'll scan it and see the extent of the damage before deciding what long-term treatment is required. But in the meantime I'm going to rest and let my back heal up."

Cochrane has no immediate plans for the future, although he has ruled out becoming a trainer. "I'm not going to walk away. Horses and racing have been my life," he said. "I'm very adaptable but I won't be training."

After a brief stint over jumps, his first major Flat victories came in the 1984 July Cup and Sussex Stakes on Chief Singer.

His first Classic winner came in the 1,000 Guineas on Midway Lady two years later. He followed up in the Oaks on the same filly.

Offered a retainer by Luca Cumani in 1987, Cochrane recorded 111 winners, finishing third in the title race behind Steve Cauthen and Pat Eddery.

He won the Derby on Kahyasi for Cumani in 1988 and enjoyed his best years numerically in 1988 and 1989 when he rode 120 winners in each campaign.

He joined Guy Harwood as stable jockey in 1990 and won the July Cup on Polish Patriot for him. And riding as a freelance in latter seasons Cochrane's reputation as a shrewd tactician and one the of the strongest jockeys in a finish ensured he remained in demand.

His most recent big-race wins include the 1998 Caulfield Cup in Australia on Taufan's Melody and last season's French 1000 Guineas on Valentine Waltz.

He was arrested in January, 1999 in connection with an investigation into doping and race-fixing but was cleared of any involvement in the case two months later.