Racing: Eyre today, gone tomorrow

Ebor-winning trainer Les Eyre is to quit British racing to move to Spain, it was reported today.

The 58-year-old, who won the big York handicap with Far Ahead in 1997, will move to Spain at the end of this flat season.

He is set to bring to an end a 13-year training career during which he has saddled nearly 400 winners, with Celestial Choir, Midland Glenn and Nigrasine among his other best horses.

Eyre, whose previous kitchen fittings business made him a millionaire, is currently based at Hambleton House in Thirsk.

He told the Racing Post: ‘‘It’s time to move on. I’ve enjoyed training and feel very lucky to have been quite successful in two different careers but I’ve got a cracking young family and need to spend more time with them while I am still able.

‘‘It’s a very stressful job. There’s a lot of pressure nowadays more than when I first started.

‘‘I employed 240 staff in my previous business and can honestly say I get more hassle in a week in racing than 12 months in my old trade.’’