CARSON: `GOOD AS LESTER' Super Scot Willie hangs up his boots.

After 35 years in the saddle Willie Carson finally admitted yesterday: "I'm an ex-jockey."

The Scot's retirement has been mooted ever since he was nearly killed at Newbury last September.

The five times champion suffered serious liver injuries when he was sent flying by a kick from Meshhed in the paddock.

Carson had hoped to be back for the start of the Flat season later this month but yesterday he conceded defeat in his fitness battle.

He said: "I'm not in pain but my body is wearing out for a jockey.

"I don't know what I'll do now. Perhaps one of all these phone calls I've had over the weekend will offer to make me a millionaire!"

Stirling-born Carson won 17 British Classics, including the Derby on Troy ( 1979), Henbit (1980), Nashwan (1989) and Erhaab (1994).

"There were so many good horses," he said.

"Winning my first Derby on Troy was a big thrill, as was winning the Oaks and St Leger on Dunfermline for The Queen in Jubilee year.

"There was Monkey Partner, who was my first big winner at Ripon many years ago and Nashwan winning the Guineas.

"And Minster Son, who I bred and named after the stud, winning the St Leger was history - lovely, fairytale stuff."

Carson started his apprenticeship in 1959 with George Armstrong before joining brother Sam.

He then had spells with Bernard van Cutsem, Barry Hills, and Clive Brittain before joining Dick Hern in 1977.

The Scot had high hopes of further Classic success with Bahhare, ante- post favourite for this year's 2000 Guineas.

"I will be cheering for him," he said.

Leading the tributes, Major Dick Hern, who provided Carson with three Derby winners, said:

"He is probably doing the right thing after some horrific falls. You don't fall as light at 54 as you do when you are 24.

"He was very supportive of me when I lost the job at West Ilsley, and I shall never forget that."

Bahhare's trainer, John Dunlop, said: "All in all he rode 641 winners for me - about 25 per cent of the winners I've trained. An incredible feat.

"His most remarkable win for me was in the Derby on Erhaab. Last of all early on he came up the inside rail and won quite easily in the end.

"He was tremendously popular with racegoers and not just in Britain. In Italy they would cheer `Willie, Willie'. A very popular, extrovert personality."

Clive Brittain, for whom Carson rode before joining Hern, said: "It's like Lester retiring - Willie was every bit as good in his day.

"He gave everything 100 per cent, which I think is the reason he is retiring. Willie won't do something if he can't give it 100 per cent.

Steve Cauthen, who rode alongside Carson throughout the 1980s, said: "He was a great, gritty competitor. When you had beat Willie, you knew you had beat somebody."

Richard Hills, currently number two jockey to Sheikh Hamdan Al-Maktoum, is favourite to fill Carson's boots for the post of principal rider, a job which includes the mount on Bahhare.