Trainer ends 21-year career with plan to 'do something unheard of in racing and earn money rather than spend it'

James Ewart has decided to "stop being selfish" and end his 21-year training career in order to concentrate on his renewable energy company.

He has sent out more than 250 winners from his yard near the town of Langholm in the Scottish Borders, scoring with his final runner when Lucky Manifest took a novice hurdle at Kelso last week.

But Ewart, 46 and with an 18-month-old son, believes it is time to concentrate on supporting his family.

"I'm of an age when I can still do something else," he said. "I need to do something unheard of in racing and earn money so that I can support my family, rather than spend it. Training has never been profitable in my experience.

"I've got to stop being selfish and look to the future. I set up a renewables energy company about three years ago and it's started having a bit of success and making a bit of money and I need to spend more time doing that. I hope it's onwards and upwards."

A cold morning on the gallops at James Ewart's yard in the Scottish bordersCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Ewart, a successful amateur rider before sending out his first winner as a trainer in 2005, concentrated mainly on jumpers and won 23 races in 2011-12, his best season.

"It was an easy decision," he said of giving up training. "Don't get me wrong, I love racing and I've loved doing what I've done. But I've got to be realistic about the future and I've got to do something that gives a better work-life balance.

"Training can be 24/7 and I'm a bit obsessive about getting every minute detail right."

Ewart sent out a single-figure tally of winners in the last three completed seasons and said: "We've had a lot less money to spend in recent years and had a lot fewer horses, we've lost owners who have passed away and it's really hard.

"I felt the time was right because I didn't want to leave racing on a low note, I didn't want to get to the stage where I was sick of it, hated it or resented it."

Ewart, whose horses will head to the sales or be sold privately, looked back with affection on his time in racing.

"I've been very lucky," he said. "I've had a lovely time and I've trained a few winners. I've enjoyed 20-odd years of doing something I love, which is more than most people do. I worked with some great staff and had wonderful owners."

Reflecting on his early days, Ewart recalled: "I spent time at Nicky Henderson's under Corky Browne and had time with Jonjo O'Neill, then I went to Ferdy Murphy and rode my first winner under rules on Brooksby Whorlton at Kelso.

Kimbambo gave James Ewart his first winner as a trainer, in the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso in 2005Credit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"I had my first winner as a trainer with Kimbambo in the Morebattle Hurdle there in 2005 and now my last winner is at Kelso too. I also had five years in France with Guillaume Macaire and I was champion amateur there. I've had a great time."

Asked if he could possibly resume training in the future, he said: "If I'm lucky and I am financially in a place where I can do it I may come back to it – never say never!"

Now read these...

No hanging around in Deauville as Godolphin splash €1,000,000 during opening exchanges at Arqana 

'Remarkable' one-eyed wonder who wouldn't eat and would 'boot hurdles out the ground' wins for a sixth time 

Godolphin supplement unbeaten colt to potentially take on Derby favourite The Lion In Winter in Dante Stakes at York 

The Front Runner is our unmissable email newsletter available exclusively to Racing Post+ subscribers. Chris Cook provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday. Not a Racing Post+ subscriber? Join today and also receive our Ultimate Daily emails plus our full range of fantastic website and newspaper content.