Dunlop calls it quits

Upper Lambourn’s Harry Dunlop admitted he was “sad but excited” as his 16-year career as a trainer came to an end on Tuesday.

Dunlop trained more than 190 winners throughout his career including the 2015 Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud champion Robin of Navan but cited unsustainable economic costs associated with the Covid pandemic, a dwindling string of horses, rising bills and the cost of sending runners abroad as behind his decision to quit.

“There are mixed emotions of course, that’s only natural,” he said.

“It’s sad but I’m really excited about the future and exploring other options, so I don’t want to think of it as a negative thing.

“I’ve absolutely loved training, it’s been fantastic, but it’s so hard to make the economics work when you don’t have a lot of horses like we’ve had.

“It was a difficult decision, I think Covid had a lot to do with it.

“We weathered the storm but we lost a lot of clients, ultimately that made things impossible.

"I think it became inevitable, it's bittersweet but we've got a lot of things to look back on with pride.

“I’ll miss the horses in the morning, that’s the one thing, watching horses mature and grow, that’s what I’ll miss most.

“I’ve had a great time and we’ve made some great memories.

"I wouldn't change a thing."

The 45-year-old sent out his first runner, Situla, in 2006 and has enjoyed Group level success with the likes of Jackfinbar, Knight to Behold and Fighting Irish.

The son of 1000 Guineas winning trainer John and brother to Classic winning handler Ed, Dunlop is set to remain in racing and plans to work with Upper-Lambourn’s Tom Ward, who received his license to train in August after four years as assistant to Richard Hannon.

Dunlop said: “I’ve been helping a local trainer called Tom Ward at the sales, that’s great.

“I’ve got a few other irons in the fire, I’ll still be involved in the industry.

“Dare I say it but racing is a full on game, I’m excited to get out in the real world and see what’s out there.”