A TOP trainer spoke through tears as she stunned racing by saying she was quitting aged 34.
Group 3-winning handler Alice Haynes will have her final runners at Chelmsford tonight.
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Alice Haynes has shocked racing by announcing she is quitting aged 34 with the sport no longer proving economically viable for her to continueCredit: Tattersalls
In a statement posted on X, she wrote: “Tonight @ChelmsfordCRC, I will saddle my final runners as a trainer.
“It’s a sentence I never imagined I would have to say.
“Stepping away from something that has shaped my days and captured my heart has been an incredibly painful decision but the truth is that racing’s current financial model does not make it viable to continue.
“There are so many people to thank: my loyal staff, our vets, farrier, suppliers, sponsor Coral and to the owners who placed their trust, their horses, and their hopes in my hands.
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“As for what’s next, I’m taking a step back to reflect and see where the next chapter leads.
“I’d love to stay involved in the sport, perhaps through media work or any opportunities that come my way, and maybe one day I’ll train again.”
Haynes was in tears as she explained her decision to stop training after four years.
She said on the Nick Luck podcast: “I’m 34. I’m closing this chapter, signing it off, and ready to open another one.
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“Of course I’m upset. I’m crying right now. It’s not been a light decision but it’s the correct one for me right now.
“People go ‘oh, she’s had a bad year’ but 20, 30 more winners wouldn’t have made a difference to my bank account.
“I had a Glorious Goodwood winner – I’m not doing it because I had a bad year.
“I’m being realistic.”
Haynes’ biggest win was her Group 3 success with Lady Hollywood in the 2022 Prix d’Arenberg at Longchamp worth a shade over £33,000.
That runner came in the Amo silks of Kia Joorabchian and was ridden by Derby hero Mickael Barzalona.
Joorabchian told Sun Racing he sent Haynes some horses after seeing ‘the twinkle of determination’ in her eyes.
But Haynes, who amassed prize money winnings of more than £800,000 in her first two years as a trainer, spoke of what she believed to be an element of sexism remaining in the sport.
“We had to hit the ground running when we started out, it was so important.
“You can only win with what you’ve got and hope you attract big owners who will give you a break and send you more horses.
“Even now you overhear people saying ‘how did she get that horse?’ or ‘how did she get that owner?’.
“You need a thick skin.
“In general racing is a male-dominated sport and, unfortunately, a few people live up to the old negative stereotypes.
“There was an owner this year who decided to send their horses to other trainers because I am a girl, but that’s up to them.
“I’m better off not having people like that around the yard.”
Haynes is set to have seven runners on the all-weather card at Chelmsford.
Filly Foden and Tam Lin look her best chances of winners in the 4.30 and 7.30 respectively, being both 6-1 at the time of writing.
She saddles three in the final race of the night at 8.30 with 16-1 Beachborough Girl who best chance of going out with a bang.
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