Jim Crowley has officially ended his distinguished career as a jockey after a serious fall at York in September left him unable to regain full fitness. The 48‑year‑old, who first made his mark in National Hunt racing before transitioning to the flat, says the injuries to his pelvis and legs have forced him to look beyond the saddle and focus on a new path as a trainer. Crowley’s early days were spent jumping, but his true breakthrough arrived when he switched to flat racing.
He secured his first Group‑level victory aboard Rod Millman’s Hawridge Prince in the 2006 Jockey Club Cup, a win that hinted at his latent talent. It would be another five years before he captured a marquee triumph on the biggest stage, guiding Robert Cowell’s sprinter Prohibit to win the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot – now known as the King Charles II Stakes. The year 2016 marked the pinnacle of his riding résumé when he claimed the Champion Jockey title. That achievement earned him a coveted position as retained rider for Hamdan Al Maktoum’s Shadwell Stud, a partnership that propelled his career to new heights.
Riding for Shadwell gave Crowley the chance to mount some of the most celebrated thoroughbreds of the modern era, including the lightning‑quick five‑furlong specialist Battaash and the elegant miler Baaeed, widely regarded as the finest middle‑distance horse since Frankel. His tenure with Shadwell also meant spending many winters in Dubai, where he added further Group victories to his record. Among the elite horses he will be remembered for are Mohaather, Anmaat, Hukum – the latter a King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner – and the versatile Ulysses.
Each of these mounts contributed to a career that spanned more than two decades and encompassed victories across the UK, Ireland, France, and the Middle East. The fall at York, however, proved to be a turning point. After undergoing multiple operations on his pelvis and legs, Crowley concluded that his body could no longer meet the demanding physical standards required for top‑level race riding. In a candid interview with the Press Association, he reflected on his journey: "I've had an amazing career and to come from jumping and then go on to do as well as I did on the flat was amazing.
I partnered some great horses and it gave me days I could only dream of." He added that the decision to retire at Goodwood – his "home track" where he enjoyed many memorable rides – felt appropriate: "It's nice to announce the retirement at Goodwood. It's my home track and I've had so many good days here and it's nice to finish here." Looking ahead, Crowley expressed enthusiasm for his next chapter.
"I've always wanted to be a trainer and I think it is the right time for me. It's given me something to get my teeth into.
If I could have half as successful a training career as I did riding then I would be very happy," he said. Having completed the required training modules, he now only needs to apply for his trainer’s licence.
He plans to travel, spend time with established trainers, and set up his own operation over the coming winter in preparation for the next season. When asked about the highlights of his riding days, Crowley’s mind immediately turned to Baaeed. The colt’s triumph in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and the subsequent dominant performance in the Juddmonte International – his first attempt at ten furlongs – stand out as career‑defining moments.
"I've been very privileged and it's thanks to the Maktoum family, Sheikha Hissa and her father who gave me a wonderful opportunity," he noted. He also praised Battaash, describing the sprinter as "by far the best" in his class, and mentioned a host of other favorites: Anmaat, Mostahdaf, Hukum (who secured the King George), Ulysses, Minzaal, and many more. Crowley recalled the exhilaration of becoming Champion Jockey, the thrill of riding a treble on British Champions Day, and the sheer joy of seeing Baaeed defeat Palace Pier in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
Equally memorable was Battaash’s record‑breaking run in the Nunthorpe at York. In summary, Jim Crowley’s decision to hang up his racing boots is both a conclusion and a new beginning.
While his riding career ended prematurely due to injury, his wealth of experience, connections within the sport, and passion for horses position him well for a successful training venture. Fans and colleagues alike will be watching closely as he transitions from champion jockey to aspiring trainer, hoping that his next chapter will be as rewarding as the one he leaves behind.