'A slow transition for him taking over': Tizzard plans dual licence with son Joe

Colin Tizzard has revealed plans to add son Joe to his training licence, as the stable edges towards a slow process of the changing of the guard at the head of the Gold Cup-winning stable.

Since finishing his career as a jockey in 2014 to help his father train, Joe Tizzard has become a crucial part of a hugely successful period at Venn Farm, which has yielded more than £1 million in prize-money for the past five seasons.

Colin Tizzard's daughter Kim Gingell had been integral to the stable's rise and her devastating death in May has prompted much reflection.

Tizzard said: "Losing my daughter through cancer and in Covid times was tragic. She was diagnosed with cancer and died three weeks later. It prompts you to say life is so precious and I feel as if I need to be letting Joe take on more and more rein.

"He's a young mind and is confident. I think there's a very good chance Joe's name will be on the licence sooner rather than later. It's a slow transition for him taking over."

Joint-training licences in Britain started this year, with Simon and Ed Crisford the first father and son to share a BHA licence.

Tizzard was speaking to the Racing Post for a Stable Tour interview which will be available to Ultimate Members from 7pm on Sunday and in an eight-page supplement in Monday's newspaper.

While discussing the stable's many outstanding young prospects for the season ahead, Tizzard also talks about Lostintranslation, who remains the stable's flagbearer.

Last season's Cheltenham Gold Cup third is on course for a return in the Betfair Chase at Haydock on November 21, a race he sparkled in last season when defeating previous dual winner Bristol De Mai. Lostintranslation is currently a top-priced 14-1 chance for the Magners-backed Gold Cup in March.

Lostintranslation: the Gold Cup is his target again this seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Tizzard said: "He had a huge chance jumping the last in the Gold Cup and travelled as well as anything coming down the hill. Our horses were a bit quiet at the festival, but the way he ran compared to everything else was massive.

"We're aiming him at the Betfair Chase – which he won last season – for his first run, but we'll try to have a gallop somewhere to get him ready. After Haydock, we'll give him another crack at the King George and then his third run will be the Gold Cup, all being well."

Read Colin Tizzard's horse-by-horse guide here in the latest of our 2020-21 Stable Tour series available to Members' Club subscribers. Click here to sign up