Simon McGonagle retires Amateur rider Simon McGonagle has retired having partnered a winner on his last ride, at Kirkstown point to point today. McGonagle was successful on The Flying Pencil, for his employer Gordon Elliott, in the Winners' Race, his 95th point to point winner. Speaking after his win McGonagle said "I haven't been getting as many rides recently and decided that now is the time to retire. I've had a good career and had eight or 10 racecourse winners along with my point to point wins. I twice tied for the point to point Novice Riders' Championship, first with Gordon (Elliott) and then with Davy Russell." He added "I have been working as Head Lad to Gordon Elliott for some time and will now concentrate on that. Gordon's Backstage was the best horse I race-rode and he should go well in the 2011 Aintree National."
