David Wachman© Photo Healy Racing
Classic-winning trainer David Wachman is to retire at the end of the season.
The County Tipperary handler has decided to call it a day after 20 years with a licence to concentrate on other business interests.
In a statement, Wachman said: "After much deliberation I have decided to hand in my trainer's licence at the end of this season. 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."
Wachman, 45, first gained experience with trainers Jessica Harrington, Michael Hourigan and Jim Bolger in Ireland, then Bill Mitchell and Brian Mayfield Smith in Australia and Jenny Pitman in England, before embarking on his own career in 1996 near Carrick-on-Suir.
His first winner was Middle Mogs in a hurdle race at Clonmel in 1996, with his first Flat success coming in June 1997 with Clewbay Pearl at Cork.
In 2000 he recorded his first Listed-race victory when Rush Brook won the Ruby Stakes at Tralee and the following year he supplied leading jumps owner Michael O'Leary (of Gigginstown House Stud) with his first winner, Tuco, in the Land Rover Bumper at Fairyhouse.
In 2002 Wachman married Kate Magnier, daughter of Coolmore supremo John Magnier, and moved to stables near Cashel.
A year later, Venturi gave Wachman a first Pattern success when landing the Group Three C.L. Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh, a race he went on to win again with Chrysanthemum and Chintz.
He achieved the notable distinction of sending out Group One winners in five different countries.
Wachman saddled winners of the 1000 Guineas on both sides of the Irish Sea. Again won the fillies' Classic at the Curragh in 2009 and Legatissimo landed the English equivalent at Newmarket in 2015.
The latter was narrowly beaten in the Investec Oaks at Epsom and went on to add the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown to her CV.
Wachman paid thanks to everyone who has supported him during his training career, saying: "Over the last 20 years I have trained for many wonderful owners and I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and thanks to them as they have been absolutely central to the success that we have enjoyed here.
"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 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."
