Jason Maguire.

Jason Maguire forced to retire

Grand National winning jockey on board Ballabriggs in 2011 and Kilmessan rider Jason Maguire has announced his retirement at the early age of 36 years old, following serious injuries.

Maguire has not ridden competitively since February 2015 after a fall at Musselburgh. He also suffered a serious injury a year earlier which left him in an induced coma.

Agent Chris Broad said: 'He was a top-class rider - it wasn't long ago that he split AP McCoy and Richard Johnson in the championship.'

He was seriously injured in a fall at Stratford on the eve of the 2014 Cheltenham Festival, suffering internal bleeding, a fractured sternum and having part of his liver removed while in an induced coma.

Maguire underwent surgery last April for slipped discs in his back and while he has been riding for the likes of Kim Bailey and Tom George, he was often left with a pain in his leg.

Having ridden as first-choice jockey for owners Paul and Clare Rooney, during his time off he has been acting as their racing manager.

Confirming his client's retirement, Broad said: 'It's disappointing, but the news has been expected, to be honest.'

The retired 20-time champion jockey AP McCoy paid tribute.

'For the last six months he was riding in unbelievable pain, he was having to travel to the races lying down in the back of cars it was hurting so much,' he said.

'He was an unbelievably tough competitor and, if anything, he was getting better with age.'