Pembrokeshire point-to-point jockey John Mathias to retire on medical advice

Pembrokeshire's John Mathias, still only 26 but six-time champion of Wales and on four occasions runner-up for the national men's championship, paid tribute to 14-year-old Rosies Peacock, who he rode to victory on 27 occasions.

"He made winning the Welsh title a lot easier," says Mathias, who has quit on health grounds.

"The doctors told me my hips look like they belong to someone of 70, not 26. They have not stopped me riding, but I listened to what was said and realised for the first time in my life that galloping around a field was not the most important thing."

Mathias (right), the only British rider to partner six point-topoint point winners on one card - a feat he achieved twice - had ridden once this season, on the opening day.

He spent that night in Addenbrooke's Hospital, having fractured his pelvis on its right side, opposite the hip he dislocated when Rosies Peacock reared and landed on him as they left the paddock at Chepstow in 2011.

He says: "I'm supposed to have a ball and socket joint but I've got an egg and socket. Both hips have a fair bit of trauma and damage - they're not designed to be dislocated."

Mathias recently became a representative for feed merchants Connolly's Red Mills, and he and wife Amber run a yard of pointers - two horses who have been through their hands, Tobefair and Constantine Bay, both recently ran at the Cheltenham Festival.

"I want to thank everyone who gave me a ride, let alone a winner. I've met some great people and wonderful characters in point-topointing. I certainly won't miss the fight with weight.

"Riding the six-timers were big days and, being a Welshman, so was winning the Dunraven Bowl twice on Galeforce Oscar and Desertmore View."

Mathias rode 215 winners, 196 in points and 19 under rules. The hip injury in 2011 probably cost him the national title that season - his grandfather, Fred, won it in 1956 - and Will Biddick had stood in his way since.