Bloomfield’s 22-year long riding career will come to an end when he rides Brahmagri for the Tricia Anderson stable in a maiden on Thursday.

Bloomfield has been one of Southern District Racing Association’s (SDRA) top jockeys for the last 20 years but cited a loss of passion as the reason for his decision.

“It’s the right time for me,” Bloomfield said.

“The passion is not there at the moment so there is no point to keep on doing it.

“It’s been like that for the last six months or so, I thought I would ride it out but it hasn’t happened.

“It’s going to be a bit hard to get used to and I’m going to miss it so I’ll see how I go.”

Bloomfield has ridden about 950 winners since beginning his apprenticeship as a teenager under his grandfather, the late John ‘Digger’ Carroll.

The highlight came in the 2010-11 racing season when Bloomfield won the SDRA jockey’s premiership.

Bloomfield, who turns 40 in July, said it was not an overly tough decision.

“Yes and no, I felt that it was the right time so it wasn’t a hard call,” he said.

“Even knowing it was the right time, it was still a big decision in my life to make.”

Bloomfield said he is proud of his career.

“I am, I am proud of what I have achieved,” he said.

“I’ve ridden a fair few winners, you always like to do more like everyone in every sport but I’m pretty proud of what I have achieved.”

Over the last five years, Bloomfield has spent plenty of time on the sidelines through injuries sustained in falls.

He conceded that played some part in his decision.

“I’ve had a bad run the last couple of years and that probably contributed to it,” he said.

“It’s not stopping me, the body is fine, I’ve just lost the passion.”

Bloomfield thanked Wagga trainer Wayne Carroll, his uncle, who he was apprenticed to and has ridden for throughout his career.

He also thanked parents Peter and Carmel Bloomfield, his wife Lisa and kids.