Charlie Swan announces shock decision to quit training

Legendary jockey has blamed the cost of training for his decison

Whenever the name Istabraq was mentioned  in his 1990's heydey the name Charlie Swan was always close behind. The legendary jockey hung up his stirrups in 2003 after a glorious career to concentrate on training horses but sad news today indicates that he can no longer continue in his stables. He was operating out of Cloughjordan in Tipperary but has revealed that he will be quitting as a handler at the end of this month due to rising costs and a lack of suitable horses. Speaking to Press Association Sport 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.' Swan was a hugely successful trainer over the last decade with victory's at Fairyhouse and Punchestown to his name as well as the prestigious Eider Chase at Newcastle, the Cork Grand National and the Thyestes Chase at Gowran. The reaction has been one of sadness but  it's also also a reminder of how difficult it is for horse trainers to make a living: https://twitter.com/JonjoONeill/status/555662048131297280 https://twitter.com/colmansweeney/status/555633470853365760 https://twitter.com/Franmberry/status/555515248573030400 H/T Sportinglife