WANTAGE-BASED jockey Cathy Gannon is keen to move forward with her life after being forced to admit defeat in her bid to return to the saddle.

The 35-year-old has been sidelined since breaking all five toes in her left foot in a nasty incident when Spring Overture played up in the starting stalls at Lingfield in May of last year – an injury that almost resulted in her losing the foot.

She had hoped to return to action in the Shergar Cup at Ascot last summer, but her comeback has continually been delayed, and after taking further advice from doctors, she has called time on her career.

Gannon said: “I’ve had a second opinion and they said it (the foot) is not fit enough for racing.

“It won’t handle the pressure of being on the ball of your foot all the time and won’t take too many bangs in the stalls.

“Obviously I have to listen to their advice. That’s the way it is.”

Gannon began her career in Ireland in 1998 and was crowned champion apprentice in 2004.

She moved to Britain two years later and went on to ride a total of 440 career winners, with her biggest success coming aboard Dingle View in the Group 3 Round Tower Stakes at the Curragh in 2010.

She was also named Lady Jockey of the Year at the Lesters on three occasions.

Reflecting on her career, Gannon continued: “It was a great roller-coaster. I made so many good friends and had a great time.

“I’ve been doing some jockey coaching and I plan to move home to Ireland in October.

“The specialist said I could ride out a little and I’m getting a proper boot I can use.”