Oxx leads tributes to Kinane

Trainer John Oxx led the tributes from the racing world to Mick Kinane, after the jockey announced his retirement after 34 years in the saddle.

Oxx's Sea The Stars provided Kinane with a glorious final year of his career, the trio teaming up to win six Group One races in 2009.

Oxx snapped up Kinane's services when his association with Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle team ended in late 2003.

A few years later, Sea The Stars was to provide them with their most dazzling moments.

"Michael Kinane was just the complete professional in every way," said Oxx.

"Not only was he a top jockey with great skill and determination, but he always conducted himself perfectly. He had a great work ethic and he never let anybody down."

Oxx naturally pointed to the six-time Group One winner as their high-point.

"We had Azamour a few years ago who won a lot of good races, but Sea The Stars has been such a great landmark horse and it has been wonderful to have Michael there to ride him," the trainer told Sky Sports News.

"The Arc is the one everyone will remember. There was so much at stake, no-one wanted to see the horse fall at the last and get beaten, everyone wanted to see him finish up with a win and he was just so confident on the day.

"The horse was in a difficult position, the race was messy and didn't go according to plan but he just kept his nerve and guided him through the gaps and won easily. I suppose that is the day he will always be remembered for.

"Fifty is a fair age for a jockey, but some of them will carry on a bit longer, particularly if they are not struggling with their weight.

"You couldn't have predicted it or planned it, but it has been great for him to have had the best horse he ever rode in the final year of his career. It's the sort of end that he deserves."

Oxx believed it was pure desire that kept Kinane at the top.

He continued: "People say you need great natural ability, which you do, but it's the perspiration that people put into their career that makes the difference.

"He always kept himself fit but he was very dedicated to his craft and dedicated to improving his technique at all times.

"He worked terribly hard right from an early age and had that burning ambition and drive to stick with it.

"That's what brought him to a different level but I suppose it was his reputation as a big-race rider that everybody latched onto.

"He was in demand all over Europe before Sunday racing came in in Ireland. He had the big-race temperament, never made mistakes and just repeatedly won big races.

"But he was very good at the little tracks on a Monday or Tuesday just the same. He had that drive to ride winners with every chance he got."

The jockey won his first Derby at Epsom on Khalid Abdullah's Commander In Chief in 1993 - a victory he believes was a big turning point in his career.

And Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Abdullah, was quick to label Kinane a "master of his trade" in the wake of his retirement decision.

"I think Mick's career has been highlighted by his high standards in his use of tactics and his great race-riding ability," said Grimthorpe.

"This was obviously highlighted by Commander In Chief but that was a long time ago and it was seen to huge effect recently with his performance on Sea The Stars in the Juddmonte International at York.

"He was up against three Aidan O'Brien horses in a four-runner race. There was of course the brilliance of his horse to go through the gap, but then Mick was able to take a pull. It was something else and a joy to watch.

"Mick has been of tremendous benefit to the sport and a master of his trade."

Commander In Chief's trainer Henry Cecil was also fulsome in his praise of Kinane.

He said: "Michael Kinane, in my opinion, was a brilliant, top-class jockey, a gentleman and a great ambassador to racing.

"He rode quite a few Group One winners for me including the Derby on Commander In Chief.

"Thank you very much Michael. Racing will miss you on the racecourse."

Pat Smullen battled with Kinane for many years in Irish Flat racing and now fills the role at Dermot Weld's Rosewell House stable that used to belong to his opponent.

"Mick Kinane was probably my idol when I started riding," said Smullen.

"He is an absolute professional and his riding set the standard, definitely in Irish racing and also in European racing.

"It has been a pleasure and an honour to have ridden against him.

"Mick has always been helpful, both in the early days and then definitely when I got the job with Dermot Weld.

"His door was always open and not only has he been a great rival, but a good friend."

John Hammond and Kinane shared victories with Montjeu in big races such as the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

And the English-born French-based trainer feels all budding riders should look up to Kinane.

"His whole career is a great example to any young jockey starting out," he said.

"Not only very talented, but he was very hard working and very discreet.

"He was champion apprentice and he is now 50. He has stayed at the top all the way through his career thanks to a lot of hard work, application, dedication and discretion.

"There are many that reach the heights early in their careers then hit the skids and go wrong. He held it together the whole way through.

"It's not just being a good jockey, it's more than that. It's keeping your head down and working hard.

"I first knew him vaguely when I was working at Michael Kauntze's in my school holidays and it was his first job as a stable jockey.

"I know him from way gone by and I much admired his dad (Tommy) when he was riding Monksfield.

"Mick has had a great career and has just had a fantastic year. For that horse (Sea The Stars) to co at the end of his career was so good - you couldn't have written it.

"It was great fun working in collaboration with him with Montjeu. He did a wonderful job on the horse.

"He was a superstar with the horse and there were great moments together."

Many of Kinane's other big-race wins came for master Newmarket trainer Sir Michael Stoute.

He added: "Michael Kinane was the ultimate professional; he extended his professionalism to his work riding, and his timing to his retirement.

"I greatly enjoyed my association with him. Thank you MJK."