Alice Haynes has final runners as she announces ‘incredibly painful’ decision to stop training

Alice Haynes will have her final runners as a trainer at Chelmsford on Thursday evening because she is no longer finding the job financially viable. 

Haynes, who has had a licence for five seasons, said she would “love to stay involved in the sport”, mentioning the possibility of taking on a role in the media.

In a statement on Thursday, Haynes said: “Tonight at Chelmsford 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, sponsors Coral and to the owners who placed their trust, their horses and their hopes in my hands. Thank you. To my partner, Kieran [O’Neill], who has stood beside me through every moment of this chapter – your support has been my anchor. 

“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. This is by no means a goodbye to the sport that has given me so much and that I love.”

Cairo (right) finished third for Alice Haynes behind Docklands (left) and Rosallion in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in JuneCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Haynes has seven runners at Chelmsford, and the last is Beachborough Girl in the closing 1m2f handicap.

Haynes, 34, started training in 2021, having established a successful pre-training business following her career as a jockey, where she rode ten winners on the Flat and over jumps.

Initially based at Cadland Stables in Newmarket, Haynes expanded to take on Machell Place Stables before a move to Kremlin Cottage Stables, the former base of Hugo Palmer, last year.

Before this season, Haynes had enjoyed year-on-year increases in her number of winners, recording a personal-best tally of 56 in 2024. In addition, she claimed Listed victories in Italy with Ziggy’s Dream and Naana’s Diamond.

Haynes’s biggest success as a trainer came in 2022 when she landed the Group 3 Prix d’Arenberg at Longchamp with Lady Hollywood for Amo Racing. 

The trainer also claimed Listed wins for Kia Joorabchian’s outfit with Mr Professor and Fix You before the owner ended his association with the yard at the end of 2023.

This year proved to be a more challenging one for Haynes, whose 27 winners and prize-money haul of £419,417 are the lowest since her first year training. She did, though, secure her biggest pot for an individual performance in June of this year when Cairo finished third in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, earning more than £85,000.

Alice Haynes and Lady Hollywood after winning the Group 3 Prix d’Arenberg at LongchampCredit: Racing Post / Scott Burton

Haynes had been sponsored in her final three seasons as a trainer by Coral, whose head of PR David Stevens said: “We were proud to sponsor Alice and her team, first at Cadland Cottage, and then at Kremlin Cottage following her move there, and we would like to take this opportunity to wish her all the best with her future career.  

“Alice trained for the Coral Racing Club from the club’s launch in 2022, and over the last three years has sent out Aspire To Glory to win six times, as well as being placed second or third on a further four occasions, making him the club’s most successful horse.  

“Latterly, Alice also trained Pop Star for us, and while he didn’t make it into the winner’s enclosure in our silks, he did give our Entain colleague, Charlotte Emery, a memorable day as her mount in the Magnolia Cup charity race at Glorious Goodwood this summer. 

“As a club we also enjoyed several member stable visits to her yard, and we would like to thank Alice and her team for their hard work and fantastic contribution to the club’s success.”

Read these next:

Ann Duffield to quit training and hand over licence to ‘somebody younger and very ambitious’ 

‘You get to a stage when you want to do other things’ – Pauline Robson and David Parker quit training after 30 years 

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