David Wachman to wind up training career at end of season

Less than a year after Curvy provided David Wachman with an 11th Group One success in Woodbine's EP Taylor Stakes, the Co Tipperary-based trainer has confirmed he will hand in his licence at the end of this season.

Apart from Curvy, Wachman enjoyed a vintage 2015 with Legatissimo’s Group One hat-trick, including a memorable success in the Newmarket 1,000 Guineas, being perhaps the highlight of the 45 year old’s career.

However, the man who began training over jumps before proceeding to the top of the flat game with a string of top-flight winners for the Coolmore syndicate which includes his father-in-law, John Magnier, has decided to call a halt to his 20 year career.

“While not taken easily the decision to retire will allow me to spend more time with my family as well as pursuing various other business interests,” he said in a statement.

Top-class horses

“The nature of training is such that you have plenty of ups and downs but I’ve been lucky enough to have many good days and train some top-class horses during that time.

“Also a big thank you also goes to each and every one of my staff members for their unwavering loyalty, dedication and commitment and I wish them all the very best for future,” he added.

Having saddled 32 winners in Ireland last year, 2016 has proven much less productive with Wachman saddling just four winners so far. His best tally was 40 in 2008.

Originally from Co Kildare, Wachman produced Group One winners in five different countries. They included Bushranger who landed both the Prix Morny and the Middle Park Stakes in 2008.

Another dual-Group One winner was the filly, Again, who landed the 2008 Moyglare at the Curragh before winning the following year’s Irish 1,000 Guineas.

Sudirman won the 2013 Phoenix Stakes.

The 2013 32Red Sprint Cup hero Gordon Lord Byron could run in Saturday’s Group One Haydock feature for a fifth time in a row.

Tom Hogan’s stalwart is joined by another veteran, Sole Power, and Joe Murphy’s Only Mine as the potential Irish challenge on the six furlong highlight.

Runner up to Society Rock in 2012, Gordon Lord Byron became the first Irish-trained winner of the race in 41 years when successful under Johnny Murtagh the following year.

He was also runner up in 2014 to G Force but was unplaced a year ago to Twilight Son.

Title defence

That horse is towards the top of the betting again and will defend his title again if ground conditions are soft enough at Haydock. If they aren’t, his trainer Henry Candy has indicates stable companion Limato may run instead. “If it came up too firm for Twilight Son, and if Limato looked in the sort of form that could cope with it, then he would run,” Candy said. “It would be the closest between races that he’s ever attempted but he’s in good form.”