Dalgleish steps down

Dalgleish could now make a switch to jump racing

Jockey Keith Dalgleish has retired from racing at the age of 21 following an on-going battle with the scales.

The Scotsman, who has ridden 22 winners this season, stands just over six feet tall.

"He never carries any weight and is at a bare minimum so is fighting the scales all of time," admitted his agent Richard Hale.

"Most people can have a few days off but if he let it go, he could probably put half a stone on quite easily."

Rumours surrounding Dalgleish's future emerged on Saturday night after he failed to take up his four intended mounts at Hamilton.

He was based at Mark Johnston's Middleham yard and had ridden many of the trainer's stable stars including Gateman and Lucky Story, who won last year's Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

"I only took him over a week ago and I took a phone call from his dad saying that Keith had packed in and was finished," revealed Hale.

"He didn't say much more than but Keith obviously has weight problems. It has come as a shock to me as well.

"A few people have been asking if he will go jumping and I am not saying that won't happen, but I just don't know at this stage," he said.

Last year, Dalgleish was the first jockey to fail a breathalyser test under new Jockey Club regulations.