By LEWIS BROWNING

Legendary jockey Hayley Turner has retired from racing with immediate effect having announced her pregnancy.

The 42-year-old is expecting her first child with her partner, with her 25-year career now coming to an end just hours before the Grand National was due to get underway.

Her last winner came last week at Southwell, while she has also enjoyed success at Royal Ascot four times, and was in her second stint in the sport having initially retired in 2015.

She did, though, return in 2018, but now claims to have called it time for good as she prepares for the next stage of her life.

Turner has also worked as a pundit on ITV’s racing coverage. It is unclear if she will continue that side of her career.

She opened up on her excitement as she revealed the news to her fans on Saturday.

Legendary jockey Hayley Turner has announced her immediate retirement from the sport

Legendary jockey Hayley Turner has announced her immediate retirement from the sport

She has announced that she is expecting her first child at 42 and has called it a day on her career for a second time

She has announced that she is expecting her first child at 42 and has called it a day on her career for a second time

In 2008, Turner became first woman to ride 100 UK Flat race winners during a calendar year

In 2008, Turner became first woman to ride 100 UK Flat race winners during a calendar year

‘I have decided to retire from being a jockey following my winner at Southwell last week especially as I had my first ride at the racecourse on 27 March, 2000,’ Turner posted. ‘I am very excited to also announce that I am having a baby in October, all being well, which I have been planning for the last two years.

‘My family and I are all very excited.

‘I would like to thank everyone that has supported me over the years especially Michael Bell, David Simcock, Andrew Balding and Harry Eustace.

‘I would also like to thank my riding agent, Guy Jewell, who has been my agent for the majority of my career.

‘I am looking forward to my next life chapter but will be focusing on the baby in the short term.’

In 2008, Turner became the first woman to ride 100 UK Flat race winners during a calendar year.

She has also enjoyed Group 1 success, though she has also had concerns off the track with a stalking ordeal and a ban for breaching betting rules in 2017 when she still held a jockey licence.

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Legendary jockey, 42, retires with immediate effect as she announces she is pregnant with her first child

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