Unhappy Cyzer To Call It A Day

Charles Cyzer has hit out at the levels of prize money in British racing after announcing his retirement from the training ranks at the end of this Flat season.

The Horsham handler, who owned the 1981 Dewhurst winner Wind And Wuthering, has become frustrated what he sees as a lack of return on investment and, after 18 years with a licence, he will send out his last runners later this year.

A sale is in progress on his yard and his 36 horses will be dispersed, with the majority sent to the Tattersalls Horses-In-Training Sale.

The remainder will go to fellow trainers to race in his wife's yellow silks.

Cyzer, speaking after his Then ?n Now won division two of the six-furlong maiden at Lingfield, said: 'I retire at the end of the Flat season from my training career of 20 years as I do not want to be taken as a mug any more.

'I have kept clippings of every race that we have won since 1989. There have been almost 300 winners in that time and I looked at the clippings the other day, and we are racing for the same prize money today as we were 18 years ago.

'I have to pay entry fees, transport, staff, farriers, vets, jockeys and yet I am only taking home #1,500 after winning a race like this.

'Prize money is still the same yet my costs are going up, and the Levy Board have shaved another #5 million off prize money next year.

'Racecourses attendances are up and people are going racing and spending their money, but the prize money has stayed the same.

'Last year, after deductions, we received just under #120,000 in prize money from Weatherbys for winning 18 races, whereas that would have been around 1million if we were racing in any other country.'

(C) PA Sport