Hammond to call it a day Middleham trainer Micky Hammond shocked the racing world by announcing his retirement yesterday. Speaking from Southwell races, Hammond (38) said: 'At the end of the National Hunt season, April 28th, I`ve decided to retire from training.'I`ve been in racing as a stable lad, jockey and trainer for the last 20 years. I just felt that I`m ready for a change to be perfectly honest. I have no plans for the future whatsover.'I`d like to stay involved in the racing game if I possibly can. I`ve done a little bit of work with the Racing Channel but I`m going to keep my options open.'Hammond, who enjoyed 231 successes as a National Hunt jockey and has trained 735 winners over jumps and 65 on the Flat, did not cite financial reasons alone for his surprise decision.He said: 'Obviously the finances are tight but we`ve been luckier than most over the last season or so and I couldn`t actually put it totally down to finances.'
