Charlie Swan announces shock retirement
Thursday 15 January 2015 11:31, UK
Charlie Swan hopes Make A Track can give him the perfect retirement present by winning the Thyestes Chase next Thursday.
Swan, who will always be remembered in his riding days as the partner of the great Istabraq and has enjoyed many big-race successes from his Tipperary stables, cited rising costs and the viability of his operation as being behind his decision to finish up at the end of this month.
He said: "It's just got a bit difficult, we don't have as many horses here now and it's time to get out really.
"With the costs of labour and everything else, the rising costs and less horses, it's not as easy as it was.
"I'd like to thank all my staff and owners. Life goes on and I will look to the future, I will probably do a bit of trading in horses and the bloodstock side of things and see what happens."
Make A Track, owned by Gigginstown House Stud, is one of the few horses in the handicap proper for next week's race on 10st 6lb with Willie Mullins's dual Thyestes winner On His Own set to carry top weight on 12st.
"I hope Willie runs the top one. It would be a big help obviously. There wouldn't be many horses in the handicap," Swan said.
"He's in good form, he loves soft ground. His races have been nicely spread out. He likes to be fresh."
