A racing legend retires: David Elsworth calls time on remarkable training career

A true legend of the sport bowed out on Wednesday when David Elsworth, Britain's greatest dual-purpose trainer and the man responsible for arguably the most popular horse in British racing history, revealed he has sent out his final runner.

The 82-year-old sought to play down the significance of his decision to retire, but the extraordinary achievements of the man known affectionately as Elsie dictate he merits a farewell filled with fondness, admiration and gratitude.

Elsworth, who will forever be associated with public champion Desert Orchid and also the much-loved Flat stayer Persian Punch, conquered some of the sport's highest peaks, with victories in the Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup and King George VI Chase over jumps alongside numerous major triumphs on the Flat.

Desert Orchid: Elsworth's masterpieceCredit: Edward Whitaker

"This isn't a sudden decision and I think everybody has been anticipating it," Elsworth admitted. "I don't want to make a fuss. I really just want to exit quietly. I don't think it's a big deal but I no longer have any horses and I won't be renewing my licence, so you can now definitely say I'm retiring."

Elsworth first entered racing as a stable lad for Alec Kilpatrick in 1955, going on to enjoy success as a jump jockey before finding his true metier as a trainer.

His finest work was Desert Orchid, who thanks to endless courage and crowd-pleasing flamboyance became the British nation's equine pet. He won four King Georges, a Whitbread Gold Cup, Irish Grand National and much more besides, most notably the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which he captured in 1989 when overhauling Yahoo to widespread jubilation, including from BBC commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan, who declared: "Dessie has done it!"

In 2005, Racing Post readers voted that the greatest race ever staged, although also in the top 20 was the last of three Jockey Club Cups won by the giant and supremely courageous Persian Punch, who further delighted fans by claiming three Henry II Stakes, two Goodwood Cups, two Lonsdale Stakes, a Doncaster Cup, Sagaro Stakes, Prix Kergorlay, Aston Park Stakes, Esher Stakes and Bahrain Trophy. The gallant front-runner also twice finished third in the Melbourne Cup.

Persian Punch with David Elsworth, pictured together in October 2003Credit: Edward Whitaker

The majority of Elsworth's most memorable racing moments came when he was based at Whitsbury, his training home for 25 years and situated only ten miles from Salisbury, the city where he was brought up by grandparents. In 2006 he relocated to Newmarket's Egerton House Stables, from where Something Enticing became his final winner when scoring at York on October 9.

The record books will show the last runner in his glittering career was Tropical Talent, who carried Jeff Smith's Persian Punch silks when fourth at Kempton on November 24.

"I had decided I wasn't going to train next season but I wanted to tie up the loose ends and finish with the horses I had before saying anything," explained Elsworth.

"What I didn't want was for people to be always asking if a certain horse was going to be my last runner. I wanted that to happen before I told everybody that I'm no longer training.

"I'll see how the wind blows before deciding what to do next. My home is in Newmarket and I'm not planning to up sticks and move anywhere – I just won't be operating as a trainer."

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Rhyme 'N' Reason put Elsworth's name on the sport's most celebrated honour roll when landing the Grand National in 1988, the year his trainer was crowned jumps champion with a squad further graced by Barnbrook Again, Champion Chase winner in 1989 and 1990. One year later Elsworth again showcased his remarkable versatility by winning Group 1s on the Flat with In The Groove and Seattle Rhyme, while over jumps Desert Orchid notched his final win at Sandown and Oh So Risky romped home in the Triumph Hurdle.

In The Groove will be remembered as Elsworth's premier Flat horse, providing him with his sole Classic in the 1990 Irish 1,000 Guineas. She also won the Coronation Cup, Irish Champion Stakes and Juddmonte International, which he won again with Arabian Queen six years ago.

David Elsworth with a photograph of Desert Orchid at home in NewmarketCredit: Edward Whitaker

Elsworth, known for being warm, kind and funny but also – and by his own admission – cantankerous and cussed, said: "I don't want to over-dramatise things but mine were humble beginnings and I certainly wasn't an overnight success.

"I rode for a few years but as a trainer I've always been fortunate to have a team around me that has been filled with people who have been as enthusiastic as I was. We all worked together, we all enjoyed it and we had our fair share of success, so it has been very rewarding.

"I'm very lucky and I've had some great days. In anyone's life there are things you're particularly pleased about – and when you're a racehorse trainer those things are usually the races you've won.

"We obviously had Persian Punch and Desert Orchid but there were so many other good horses. We've had horses like Heighlin, Cavvies Clown, Norse Dancer, Rhyme 'N' Reason, Ghofar, In The Groove, Mighty Fly and Arabian Queen. You have to be lucky to get horses like that. I've lived a charmed existence."

Elsworth added: "I never looked upon racing as a chore or a job. It has been great fun but now I'm retiring. I really don't think it's a big deal and I'm not sad about it. You have to call time at some point. It's like a party – eventually you have to go home."

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