Former champion jockey Jim Crowley has announced his retirement from riding after recovering poorly from his injuries sustained during a fall at York in September. He is in the process of obtaining his training licence.Crowley told the Press Association, “I've had an amazing career and to come from jumping and then go on to do as well as I did on the Flat was amazing. I partnered some great horses and it gave me days I could only dream of.“I never imagined this happening when I came from jumping and I was fortunate to ride all over the world and for some of the best trainers in the world.“It's been a great career, it's just unfortunate that after my accident at York my body couldn't get back to the level I want to be to race ride again.“It's nice to announce the retirement at Goodwood. It's my home track and I've had so many good days here and it's nice to finish here.”Crowley started out as a National Hunt jockey before switching to the Flat. His first group winner was Hawridge Prince (Polar Falcon) in the 2006 G3 Jockey Club Cup, while his first winner at the highest level was Prohibit (Oasis Dream) in the 2011 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. Named champion jockey in 2016, he was the appointed retained rider for Hamdan Al Maktoum's Shadwell Stud shortly afterward.The 48-year-old rode several champions, among them Shadwell's speedster Battaash (Dark Angel) and star miler Baaeed (Sea The Stars). He also enjoyed many successful winters in Dubai. Next up for Crowley will be attaining his training licence.He went on, “I've always wanted to be a trainer and to train and I think it is the right time for me. It's given me something to get my teeth into. If I could have half as successful training career as I did riding then I would be very happy.“I've completed my modules and just need to apply for my licence now. I plan on travelling around a bit and spending some time with different trainers and hopefully set up over the winter ahead of next season.”Crowley is perhaps best known for his association with Baaeed, who won the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, as well as the G1 Juddmonte International, stretching his speed to 10 furlongs in the latter contest.Crowley added, “I've been very privileged and it's thanks to the Maktoum family, Sheikha Hissa and her father who gave me a wonderful opportunity.“Obviously Baaeed was the best I rode, but there was also Battaash who was by far the best sprinter. There's so many really, Anmaat, Mostahdaf, Hukum who was a great favourite of mine and obviously won the King George, Ulysses, Minzaal – there is so many I've been lucky to ride.“The day I was made champion jockey was a highlight and so was riding a treble on British Champions Day the day Baaeed beat Palace Pier in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.“Baaeed's Juddmonte Stakes win was another brilliant day, as was Battaash breaking the track record in the Nunthorpe at York.”The post Jim Crowley Retires From The Saddle appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.