Great scenes as whole weigh room comes together for Noel Fehily's Guard of Honour

He’s one of the most respected in the game.

Cheltenham has been an emotional place this week but emotions were rarely as high as they were on Thursday evening when Noel Fehily, the legendary Cork jockey of 20 years announced his intention to retire at the end of the season.

Fehily, who had just won aboard Eglantine Du Seuil in the Mares’ Novice Hurdle, was interviewed on Racing TV when he discussed the injury troubles he’s struggled with all year, before emotionally revealing that this will be his last Cheltenham Festival.

“I wasn’t well for a while earlier in the year and I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of weeks. It’s time to let the young lads get on with it,” he said.

“This will definitely be my last Festival and I was hoping for a winner so I’d be able to announce it.

“I’m delighted to be able to go out on a winner, especially for Jared (Sullivan, owner) who has been so good to me.”

Cork's Noel Fehily has decided to hang up the whip at the end of this season.

He bows out a legend of horse racing. 👏pic.twitter.com/unzS5kEkym

— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) March 14, 2019