The retained rider to top owner/breeders Shadwell announced his decision at the end of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, where he rode the sprinter Battaash to win a record four runnings of the King George Stakes14:11, 01 Aug 2026Top jockey Jim Crowley has retired at the age of 48 and revealed a plan to turn his hand to training racehorses later this year.‌The champion of the 2016 season said he had thought long and hard about whether he could return to racing, after his recovery from serious injuries sustained when Almeraq fell in a race at York in September 2025.‌However Crowley felt he could not reach the level of fitness required to continue his stellar career, in which he was associated with numerous top horses wearing the silks of late owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.‌"I've had five operations, the last of them three weeks ago," he told the Racing Post. "Mentally, I still think I can do it, but physically, it's just not possible to get back to the level I would want to reach."Crowley's announcement comes on the final day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, a track where he partnered brilliant sprinter Battaash to a record four wins in the Group Two King George Stakes over five furlongs.He also enjoyed a fine time with Baaeed, celebrating Group One successes in the 2021 Prix Du Mouin at Longchamp, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and the following year's Lockinge, Queen Anne Stakes, Sussex Stakes and Juddmonte International.‌Crowley, who started a decade over jumps in 1997 and switched to the Flat full-time in 2006, also linked up with Shadwell stars like Hukum, Mostahdaf and Anmaat.But he was forced to put his career on hold when he sustained pelvic and leg fractures in the fall on the Knavesmire last year. He was riding Almeraq for Shadwell and trainer William Haggas when the colt appeared to clip the heels of a horse in front, in the process bringing down another runner, ridden by Trevor Whelan, who was also hurt.‌"The injuries I suffered have made me realise how fortunate I've been to enjoy such a long career doing something I absolutely loved," Crowley added."Holding the Shadwell job for so long was amazing. They are such loyal people. It has been a pleasure to ride for Sheikha Hissa, her father and the family, and I've also enjoyed working with Angus Gold and Richard Hills."In June, Crowley ruled himself out of Royal Ascot, telling Mirror Racing: “I’ve been riding out and I’m just not up to race riding yet. Ascot has come a little too soon. Although I could probably turn up it’s not where I want it to be and I want it to be 100 percent. You can’t come into a meeting like this at the top stage if you are not 100 percent.Article continues below“It’s hard but one thing I have learnt is racing is a great leveller and it is at the end of the day horses running around a field. It’s not the end of the world. There are lot more worse off than me.”