Barry Geraghty became the latest jockey of a vintage generation to call time on his career at the weekend.

The 41-year-old won just about every big race there is, and is one of only a select group to have ridden winners in the big five National Hunt races – the four Cheltenham feature races and the Aintree Grand National.

Geraghty had planned to retire after the Punchestown Festival, but with racing suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, he took a further few months to weigh up his situation.

Writing in his Sporting Index blog, Geraghty stated: “I’ve been able to take stock of everything, relax, enjoy the time off with Paula and our kids Síofra, Órla and Rían, and it’s given me a taste of what might lie ahead.

“Not having to be stuck on the roads, in and out of airports and just living life at a steadier pace has been nice. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t had some second thoughts, though, particularly after such a great Cheltenham, but I’m settled on it now and pleased with what I’m doing.”

Geraghty has had terrible luck with injuries over the last five years, but was still at his very best at Cheltenham in March, riding five winners, all for his boss JP McManus.

The highlight of those was a fourth Champion Hurdle win on Epatante, while his last gasp win on Champ in the RSA Chase will live long in the memory.

Geraghty took up the McManus role in 2014, following AP McCoy’s retirement. Previously he rode as stable jockey to Nicky Henderson, establishing a brilliant association with Sprinter Sacre and Bobs Worth. Further back, the Meath man had a close association with Jessica Harrington and particularly the marvellous Moscow Flyer, whom he won two Champion Chases on. His Grand National win on Jimmy Mangan’s Monty’s Pass came at the age of just 23.

In all he rode 1,920 winners, only McCoy, Ruby Walsh and Richard Johnson have rode more. Geraghty’s 43 winners at the Cheltenham Festival place him second on that roll of honour, with only Walsh having rode more.