Four time Champion Jump Jockey Richard Johnson has announced his immediate retirement after 27 years in the saddle.

Johnson rode a total of 3,824 winners, a figure only bettered by his long-term weighing room rival and friend, Sir AP McCoy.

In a statement Johnson said: “After nearly 30 years in the saddle, the time has come for me to retire.

“I have been so extraordinarily lucky to have ridden so many wonderful horses, and for so many incredible trainers and owners. It was particularly important to me to finish on one for Philip and Sarah Hobbs who, like Henry Daly, have supported me for over 20 years. I’ll never be able to articulate what their loyalty has meant to me.”