Alice Haynes Makes ‘Painful Decision’ to Stop Training

[Wandering Eyes]

Alice Haynes, who began training in Newmarket almost five years ago, has announced that she is to cease with immediate effect, citing that “racing's current financial model does not make it viable to continue”.

In a statement released on social media, Haynes, 34, said, “Tonight at Chelmsford I will saddle my final runners as a trainer. It's a sentence I never imagined I would have to say. Stepping away from something that has shaped my days and captured my heart has been an incredibly painful decision but the truth is that racing's current financial model does not make it viable to continue.

“There are so many people to thank: my loyal staff, our vets, farrier, suppliers, sponsor Coral and to the owners who placed their trust, their horses, and their hopes in my hands.”

Haynes, a former jockey and amateur rider, sent out her first runner in February 2021 and quickly made an impression, with Amo Racing's Mr Professor becoming her first black-type winner in the Listed Silver Tankard Stakes later that year. The following season she sent Lady Hollywood, also owned by Amo Racing, to run fifth in the G1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint after the daughter of Havana Grey had won both the Listed Marwell Stakes and G3 Prix d'Arenberg. 

In the last five seasons, Haynes, a hands-on trainer who rides out daily from her base at Kremlin Cottage Stables, has saddled more than 200 winners in Britain and has won stakes races in France, Ireland and Italy. She has worked closely throughout her training career by her partner, jockey Kieran O'Neill.

She added, “To my partner, Kieran, who has stood beside me through every moment of this chapter, your support has been my anchor. 

“As for what's next, I'm taking a step back to reflect and see where the next chapter leads. I'd love to stay involved in the sport, perhaps through media work or any opportunities that come my way, and maybe one day I'll train again. This is by no means a goodbye to a sport that has given me so much and that I love.”

 

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