Young Halliday heading to the States to rekindle enthusiasm

Halliday, an apprentice attached to Malcolm Jefferson’s yard, had ridden 46 winners over the past four years.

The Bingley-born rider intends to become a work rider in America before deciding his future plans.

“I am 24 so I am young enough to try something different,” he told the Yorkshire Post.

“It’s more for personal reasons- I just didn’t enjoy it any more. If you’re doing it, you want to be enthusiastic when you go to the races.

“You’ve got to give it 100 per cent and it just wasn’t bothering me.”

Halliday, whose older brother Tom was killed in a fall at Market Rasen in 2005, was followed around the country by his parents in their camper van.

His presence on the region’s racetracks helped promote a scholarship scheme that was set up by the Lincolnshire course in his brother’s memory.

Halliday named Issaquah, runner-up at both the 2009 and 2010 Grand National meeting, as the best horse that he rode.

His retirement comes as Richmond-based Keith Mercer, who won the 2005 Scottish National on Joes Edge, was finally given the all-clear to return to the saddle 14 months after breaking his leg at Worcester.

On the equine front, Middleham trainer Mark Johnston’s Namibian – a winner at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood – is on the road to recovery after undergoing two operations for colic.

The three-year-old is still in the Newmarket Equine Hospital where he first underwent surgery more than two weeks ago.

However, hopes remain high that the one-time St Leger fancy will be able to resume his racing career as a four-year-old.

“He had to have more surgery, I’m afraid, but touch wood now he seems a lot better,” said Johnston’s wife and assistant, Deirdre.

She also confirmed that the Canadian International or Melbourne Cup are intended targets for stable stalwart Jukebox Jury, the joint winner of the Irish St Leger.

“He’s so versatile and goes on any ground. He’s a real laid-back traveller, so it’s the right kind of thing for him,” she said.

While Jukebox Jury is guaranteed a run in Australia on his handicap rating, the same cannot be said for Malton trainer Brian Ellison’s Ebor hero Moyenne Corniche and the impressive Saptapadi.

They leave for Australia on September 22 and Ellison hopes they can win a prep race to ensure places in the showpiece.

“Basically we will be trying to find a race out there to try to get a small penalty to get them in the Melbourne Cup,” he said. “Once they come out of quarantine after a couple of weeks they will go to Jim Conlan’s stable.”

Top sprinter Dream Ahead is likely to be retired after competing in Prix de la Foret at Longchamp next month, says trainer David Simcock. The three-year-old’s most recent Grade One victory came in Haydock’s Betfred Sprint Cup when jockey William Buick survived a stewards’ inquiry.