LEGENDARY 20-times champion AP McCoy has led the tributes to Birdlip-based jockey Jason Maguire who has been forced to retire.

AP McCoy tweeted: "Tough on @JasonMaguire6 having to give up through injury,very talented top class jockey.he'll do a great job as Paul Rooney's racing manager"

Grand National-winning jockey Jason Maguire has not ridden competitively since February 2015 after a fall at Musselburgh.

He underwent surgery in the following April for slipped discs in his back but hasn't been able to recover his previous form.

During his time off he has been acting as racing manager for Paul and Clare Rooney, continuing his association with them after being their first choice jockey.

Confirming his retirement Maguire's agent, Chris Broad, said: "It's disappointing, but the news has been expected, to be honest.

"He was a top, top top-class rider, it wasn't long ago that he split AP McCoy and Richard Johnson in the championship, that's how good he was."

Maguire won the 2011 Grand National on the Donald McCain-trained Ballabriggs and enjoyed Cheltenham Festival successes on Galileo (2002), Peddlers Cross (2010), Cinders And Ashes (2012) and Son Of Flicka (2012).

Broad continued: "He's had some memorable days, no one can ever take a Grand National win away from him and he's enjoyed good days at Cheltenham, too.

"He's been a very good man to work with but unfortunately his body is no longer responding how he wants.

"There is a life after racing and luckily for him he has already got his lined up with the Rooney job.

"Obviously he'll still miss it, and it is very different being forced to retire rather than retiring on your own terms. 

"It's much harder to cope in this situation when the decision is made for you.
"He was very stylish and very strong, but there comes a time when it has to end."