Dunlop decides to call it a day
Trainer to explore new opportunities after 16 years
LAMBOURN-BASED Group One-winning trainer Harry Dunlop has announced his decision to retire from training at the end of the 2022 Flat season.
Dunlop, who won the 2015 Criterium de Saint-Cloud with Robin of Navan, has trained 169 winners in his 16 years as a trainer, but cited unsustainable economic costs as the reason behind his decision to quit.
Dunlop’s Adaay in Asia won at Goodwood last month and followed that up by winning the illustrious Shergar Cup at the weekend.
Nevertheless it’s been a difficult year for the trainer, who relocated to his Frenchman Lodge Stables in 2019, in which he’s managed just five winners from his 14 horses in training all season.
Dunlop, who is the son of former 1000 Guineas and Oaks-winning handler John and brother to Classic-winning trainer Ed, also enjoyed Group-level success with Jackfinbar, Knight To Behold and Fighting Irish.
He worked under Nicky Henderson, Sir Henry Cecil and his father, who was Flat racing’s Champion Trainer in 1995 and had spells in Australia, New Zealand and the US.
In 2006, he sent out his first runner, Situla, who won at Wolverhampton ahead of his first full season in 2007.
Dunlop follows Joseph Tuite, who announced his decision to quit last month, also citing financial difficulties.
Tuite has been based at his Felstead Court Stables in Lambourn since 2010.
“Of course 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,” Dunlop said.
“I love training, I’ve loved training, but it’s so hard when you don’t have a lot of horses to actually make the economics work.
“It was a difficult decision,
I think Covid had a lot to do with it.
“A lot of businesses struggled, we weathered the storm, we had some lovely money from Rishi like everybody did, but we lost a lot of clients through it. It’s not easy.
“It was special to have two great wins with Adaay in Asia, especially at two great courses like Goodwood and Ascot.
“Wins like that are fantastic, ideas do go through your mind, but once you’ve made a decision you’ve got to really stick with it, that’s important.
“I’ll miss the horses in the morning. That’s the one thing, watching horses mature and grow, that’s what I’ll miss the most.
“I’d like to remain in racing. I’m excited to get out there and look for other opportunities.
“I’d love to tell you exactly what I’m doing, but I’m not sure.
“Racing, dare I say it, is a full on game.
“I’m excited to go out into the real world and see what’s out there.”
Time will tell, then, what the future holds for Dunlop – whatever it is, let’s hope he lands a winner.