Jason Laking has confirmed his retirement from race riding due to increased weight.
Laking (27), who rode 330 winners, including The Jewel in the group one 2002 New Zealand One Thousand Guineas, has taken a job in a tyre shop in Ashburton.
"It had got to stage where it was costing me money to go to the races," Laking said, referring to fines for failing to meet his contracted weight.
"I have got a mortgage to pay and got offered a job and decided to take a change of direction."
Laking served his apprenticeship with Hec Anderton at Wingatui and began race riding in April 1999, at Riverton.
He rode his first winner, Just Becoss, at Riccarton in July that year.
Just Becoss was trained by Jason's father, Bruce Laking.
Jason claimed 4.5kg for Just Becoss and rode the gelding at 51.5kg to win the open 1400m handicap.
He won group three races on Milly Bijou (2002 Dunedin Cup), Maccadons Dream (2001 Challenge Stakes at Riccarton) and Perceptible ( 2002 White Robe Lodge Handicap at Wingatui).
He also won the Dunedin and Southland Guineas on The Jewel and the Dunedin Guineas last year on Champagne Ransom.
