Llewellyn joins Pitman

Carl Llewellyn has announced that he is to become assistant trainer and jockey to Mark Pitman.

The 40-year-old is still keen to renew his long and fruitful partnership with Nigel Twiston Davies, for whom he has ridden a Grand National winner, but admitted that he is starting to look at the next phase of his career.

“Although I rode 70 winners last season at my stage of life I need to look to the future and I was offered a very good package to be assistant trainer and jockey,” he told the Racing Post.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge, and also looking forward to getting to know the team and owners.

“However, I’ll continue my association with Nigel, who has 70 horses this season – in terms of quality and potential, they’re better than ever.”

Pitman added: “This was a natural appointment for us. Carl has an outstanding reputation, and having sat next to him in the weighing room before I switched to training, I know we can get on.”

On a sadder note for the Weathercock House team, it was also announced that Monsignor, the brilliant winner of the 2000 Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Hurdle, has finally been retired.

The chestnut had been battling with injuries and had not raced since his electric display at Cheltenham that day, but will remain with Pitman as a lead horse.