Rhys Flint
Although he announced his retirement from the saddle in September 2012, the Bridgend jockey Rhys Flint was still riding in March 2014.
Although he announced his retirement from the saddle in September 2012, the Bridgend jockey Rhys Flint was still riding in March 2014.
In 2012 Rhys Tweeted "That's me done, won't be renewing my licence in September, good fun while it lasted. I'll be going for a training licence, it's something I've always been mad to do."
In 2012 Rhys Tweeted "That's me done, won't be renewing my licence in September, good fun while it lasted. I'll be going for a training licence, it's something I've always been mad to do."
Speaking on At The Races, Flint said the battle to keep his weight down had been a deciding factor in his decision.
Speaking on At The Races, Flint said the battle to keep his weight down had been a deciding factor in his decision.
He said: "I've had to call it a day, I was getting too heavy. I'm very pleased and grateful for the rides I've had, and very happy for the career I've had.
He said: "I've had to call it a day, I was getting too heavy. I'm very pleased and grateful for the rides I've had, and very happy for the career I've had.
"It's been on my mind probably the last two years after my conditional title.
"It's been on my mind probably the last two years after my conditional title.
"As I've got older every year has got harder and I don't think I'd be able to do another year.
"As I've got older every year has got harder and I don't think I'd be able to do another year.
"It will take a few months to get a trainer's licence, I'll help my dad (trainer John Flint) out until I get my licence, his yard is quite big at the moment.
"It will take a few months to get a trainer's licence, I'll help my dad (trainer John Flint) out until I get my licence, his yard is quite big at the moment.
"He's willing to give me a few boxes at the bottom and I'll probably start training from the same yard in my name."
"He's willing to give me a few boxes at the bottom and I'll probably start training from the same yard in my name."
In April 2010, the aged 19, Rhys had become just the second Welshman to win the Conditional Jockeys' Championship. Carl Llewellyn had been the first.
In April 2010, the aged 19, Rhys had become just the second Welshman to win the Conditional Jockeys' Championship. Carl Llewellyn had been the first.
Rhys clinched the title on the final day of the season when, standing in for the injured Danny Cook, he rode Brandy Butter to victory at Market Rasen. This was his fortieth winner of the season.
Rhys clinched the title on the final day of the season when, standing in for the injured Danny Cook, he rode Brandy Butter to victory at Market Rasen. This was his fortieth winner of the season.
He had first appeared on a British racecourse on Monday 21 May 2007 when, in an Amateur Jockeys' Handicap at Bath, he had finished 12th of 17 on Uncle Max behind Ronsard, ridden by Richard Evans.
He had first appeared on a British racecourse on Monday 21 May 2007 when, in an Amateur Jockeys' Handicap at Bath, he had finished 12th of 17 on Uncle Max behind Ronsard, ridden by Richard Evans.
Rhys had to wait until Saturday March 2008 to ride his first winner, Lady Myfawny in an Open Hunters' Chase at Bangor-on-Dee.
Rhys had to wait until Saturday March 2008 to ride his first winner, Lady Myfawny in an Open Hunters' Chase at Bangor-on-Dee.
His next ride (April 8) was on the same horse - with the same result!
His next ride (April 8) was on the same horse - with the same result!
Rhys next rode on the flat at Wolverhampton on April 26 - Trinculo, for trainer Ronald Harris. That, too, won, giving Rhys a treble, albeit spread over a few weeks.
Rhys next rode on the flat at Wolverhampton on April 26 - Trinculo, for trainer Ronald Harris. That, too, won, giving Rhys a treble, albeit spread over a few weeks.
On February 23, 2014, Rhys won the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell on the 16/1 shot Kayf Moss - amazingly, just three weeks earlier he had broken his leg. However, an immediate whip ban ruled him out of the Cheltenham Festival that year.
On February 23, 2014, Rhys won the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell on the 16/1 shot Kayf Moss - amazingly, just three weeks earlier he had broken his leg. However, an immediate whip ban ruled him out of the Cheltenham Festival that year.
Rhys returned to the racetrack and, on February 16, 2015, rode his first winner of the season, Paddy the Oscar, at Lingfield.
Rhys returned to the racetrack and, on February 16, 2015, rode his first winner of the season, Paddy the Oscar, at Lingfield.