Trainer Wallace to quit UK for Australia

Mark Wallace will next month quit British racing to pursue a new training career in Australia.

The 35-year-old handler is to leave Newmarket, from where he has been based for the last five years, to set up shop in Sydney at the start of next year.

"People might wonder why I'm leaving when things are going well here, but this is a chance to do something that's never been done before," Wallace said.

"To the best of my knowledge, no trainer has gone from Britain to set up in Australia.

"I'll be based at the Warwick Farm track in Sydney and the Australian Jockey Club have indicated they're keen to have me, both as a new young trainer on the site and as someone from overseas.

"I love training in Newmarket but the money is very good in Australia and I just relish the challenge of making it work."

The well-regarded Wallace won two Listed races in his first season and catapulted into prominence through Benbaun, the Group One-winning sprinter.

"He only cost me seven grand and he's put me on the map," Wallace told The Times.

"Winning a Group One (the Prix de l'Abbaye) on Arc day last year was a big boost and he'll run in the race again next month - though I won't have many other horses left here by then."