Dartnall is finishing his career

After a successful career spanning 30 years in racehorse training, Victor Dartnall has decided to retire at the age of 75. Dartnall, well-known for his training of horses such as Lord Sam, Karanja, and Giles Cross, cited the challenging financial environment, difficulty in finding suitable staff, and his advancing age as reasons for stepping away from the sport.

In a statement on his website, Dartnall expressed his gratitude for the time spent in the industry and his decision to prioritise spending time with his family. He acknowledged the changing landscape of racing over the years, with smaller yards facing increased competition from larger establishments and the economic challenges affecting the industry as a whole.

Dartnall also highlighted the impact of labour shortages, exacerbated by Brexit, on the day-to-day operations of his stable. Despite the challenges, Dartnall looks forward to enjoying his retirement and supporting his expanding family, including grandchildren pursuing careers in veterinary medicine and boxing.

He continued, expressing his pride in the opportunities given to young individuals by the yard, such as Rachel Robbins and Flo Willis, who have served as head girl for renowned trainers in the horse racing industry. These talented individuals have excelled in their roles for several years.

The yard has been fortunate to train several successful horses over the years, including Lord Sam, Hawardeth, and Karanja. Additionally, they have had national champions such as Butler John and Phar Too Touchy in point-to-point racing. The horses trained by the yard have achieved success in over 70 P2P and hunter chases.

He concluded by expressing his gratitude to all those who have played a role in the success of the yard, as well as the owners who have shown their support.