Racing: Norman Williamson the Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle winning jockey yesterday announced his retirement from race riding.

The Co Cork-born jockey took the step on medical advice after suffering persistent neck problems.

Williamson (34) suffered a fall at Downpatrick almost two weeks ago which aggravated neck and shoulder injuries he had picked up earlier.

"I went for a scan in London last week and the report back wasn't great. Discs in my neck aren't settling down and if I got another fall I could be in trouble.

"I have spoken with Walter Halley (Turf Club Medical Officer) and I'm taking the sensible route and biting the bullet. I've had a good innings and ridden some good horses," he said yesterday.

Williamson made his greatest mark in 1995 at the Cheltenham festival when winning both the Champion Hurdle on Alderbrook and the Gold Cup on Master Oats. "The Cheltenham double was very special," he said

Both horses were trained in Lambourn by Kim Bailey who employed Williamson as his stable jockey until the partnership split up in controversial circumstances.

Venetia Williams became a consistent supplier of winners for Williamson in the late 1990's including the grey horse Teeton Mill who won both the Hennessy Gold Cup and the King George VI Chase.

Williamson returned to ride in Ireland in recent years, principally for Edward O'Grady who trained Back In Front to win the Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham last March.

O'Grady also trained the star novice chaser Nick Dundee who appeared to be heading towards SunAlliance Chase success until falling at the third last fence. The subsequent Gold Cup winner Looks Like Trouble went on to the win the race.

Looking to the future, Williamson added: "We've recently bought a farm in Co Meath. We've just moved in and immediately I'd like to continue doing television work. We'll be trying to get the farm sorted out and will be having some horses in stores."