Nina announces retirement at Punchestown

Meath 2011 Sportsperson of the year Nina Carberry announces retirement after her final winner at Punchestown today.

Following Katie Walsh's retirement from the race riding on Friday evening, it was the turn of her sister-in-law Nina Carberry to announce she had ridden her final race in Saturday's opening contest at Punchestown. 

Nina partnered Josies Orders (6/5 fav) for trainer Enda Bolger in the Dooley Insurances Cross Country Chase and came in to a huge cheer from the massive crowd as her family and fellow riders gathered in the winner's enclosure.

 "It was really sweet to finish off on Josies Orders," said Nina. 

"I think either way I'd have stopped today, whether I'd won or not, I'd chosen a couple of weeks ago that I'd do it this afternoon. 

"Enda has been a massive supporter and I wouldn't have had all the Cheltenham winners without him and JP (McManus) as well. I'm sad and I'm happy. I'm sad that I'm finished and going to miss all the banter but happy that I've got a new career ahead of me.

          "A couple of months ago, I decided that this would be my last season and today was going to be the day, whether I had a winner or not. 

"To have a winner is great, and for Enda and J P over the Banks - it's something special. 

"Punchestown has been very good to me along the way and this was the day I picked. I was just hoping that Josies Orders would do it for me and, fair dues, he did. 

"I probably got to the front too soon in the La Touche Cup and Auvergnat was probably a bit better than me but he did it today anyway.
          
"Katie (Walsh) and I were walking the course together on Tuesday and I told her that this would be my last Punchestown. 
"She said that she had something to tell me and she told me that her winner would be her last one. So we kind of had an idea of what we were going to do. She didn't know that I was retiring and I didn't know that she was - it was just our time. 

"We gave ourselves a hug and a little cry. The day On The Fringe won his third race here after the double at Cheltenham and Aintree was something special. 

"Noel Meade was also very loyal to me the whole way through and Gordon Elliott is a brilliant trainer who supported me the whole way - trainers like that are who you want to ride for and they were very good to me. 

"It means so much having Rosie (baby), my mum, Paul and my nieces here. I will continue riding out at Ballydoyle and hopefully buying and selling the few that I have at the minute. With a bit of luck, we will keep going with that," she concluded.

QUOTES FROM THE TOP RACING PEOPLE
  
ENDA BOLGER
"I watched the race with Nina's mum and the final 200 yards were the longest 200 yards I've ever seen.

"I'm stuck for words but at the same time so happy for Nina. 

"She gave everything 110 per cent and you never needed to give her instructions in a race, you just leave it all to her. She's a Carberry and they are natural horsemen."

NOEL MEADE
"She's such a fabulous person and has been from the very first time I ever met her. 

"She's from a fantastic family and what you see with Nina is what you get every time. 

"She's a fabulous tactician and a highly-competent rider. I'm delighted that she's able to pull out in one piece. It's a fantastic day but a sad day."

PAUL CARBERRY

 "I'm very proud of her. She texted me last night saying that she was going to do the same as Katie and I thought she was messing. 

"I rang Mum, who said I should come racing. She's had a great career and I've loved watching her and it's great that she's bowing out safely. 

"There's a lot of good memories and we rode in the National together a few times. She had a lot of good winners and will be a big loss for Noel (Meade)."
ROBBIE POWER
 "The two best female riders of all time have gone in the same week. 

"It's fitting that Nina went out in the race she did because she has long been queen of the banks courses here and at Cheltenham. She's a natural over obstacles."