Former champion jockey Mark Khan announced on Tuesday he has relinquished his jockey’s license with immediate effect according to Phumelela's TabOnline.

The star jockey and rider of numerous champions and Grade 1 winners sustained injuries in a fall last year and had undergone numerous and extensive consultations and treatments with various physicians with the consensus being that the treatment has been unsuccessful and that there is no hope for any further improvement.

In a statement yesterday, he said: "Over the years I have been privileged enough to have accomplished all my personal racing goals, met and ridden for many wonderful trainers and patrons, been both the hero and the villain to punters and generally been successful at a career which I am extremely passionate about.

"I wish to thank everyone in the racing fraternity, namely the South African Jockeys Association, Gold Circle, Phumelela, the Racing Association as well as each and every person who has played a part in my career. A special thanks to those who have supported me through the last few very trying and uncertain months.

"As yet, I am undecided about which path my life would take, but my intention is to be able to give back to an industry which has given me so much.’’