Jockey Richard Burton quits at the top

Shropshire's Richard Burton – Britain's most successful point-to-point jockey – has brought the curtain down on his riding career.

The 35-year-old, who was born and raised in Shrewsbury before moving to Cheshire five years ago, has retired after sealing his fourth men's championship.

Burton will remember 2011 as the year he smashed the national record with his 385th career victory, his 39 seasonal triumphs taking him up to 414 point-to-point winners with a further 64 under Rules.

And he admitted it had been a tough decision to bring career to a close.

""My wife Hannah is expecting our second child next month and my business selling equestrian properties is going nicely, so it's time to stop," he said. "A huge part of me is keen to keep going and I've looked at every angle.

"I thought about just riding the special horses or sitting on the subs bench in case I was needed.

"But I would want to do justice to the horses and it would be unfair on the lads who are waiting to take over.

"I've been dithering and going round in cricles, but it's time to make a decision. I'll miss it like mad."

Amongst his career highlights are three Cheltenham Festival winners, including Juveigneur and Cloudy Lane in the Kim Muir Chase in 2005 and 2007 respectively.

But his most satisfying victory came aboard Cappa Bleu, trained by Hadnall's Sheila Crow, in the Christie's Foxhunter Chase at the Festival two years ago.