REDCAR Racecourse has joined in the tributes to veteran jockey Joe Fanning who has announced his retirement from race riding.

Tomorrow's Circus Family Day is Redcar's first meeting since Joe's retirement after a glittering career in which he rode 2,947 winners.

Half of those winners were for Mark and Charlie Johnston at Middleham - and Joe hit a special milestone at Redcar in August 2019.

On our Gin and Gents evening that year, Joe rode his 2,500th British winner on Universal Gleam, for trainer Keith Dalgleish, in the Racing TV Straight Mile Series Handicap Stakes.

Other notable successes for Joe at Redcar included winning the Zetland Gold Cup three times on Capable Guest (2008), Revolutionist (2016) and Forest Falcon (pictured below in 2022).

Redcar general manager Amy Fair said: "Joe was a regular at Redcar over the years and we are proud to have played a part in his magnificent career. Modest, unassuming, and a model professional, we wish Joe a long and happy retirement and he will always be welcome at Redcar."

• Main picture: Joe Fanning winning his 2,500 British race on Universal Gleam at Redcar in August 2019