I loved training but I can’t say I’m sorry I quit – if anything, I’m relieved

It’s three years to the day since Charlie Swan pulled the plug on a successful training career, at the time citing financial reasons as the deciding factor.

The nine-time champion Irish jump jockey had amassed over 500 winners in his second career, but away from the bright lights and razzmatazz of the big festivals he had been struggling to save his business for some time before finally calling it a day.

Swan’s yard in Cloughjordan, County Tipperary, was home to over 70 horses in its pomp, some of whom were owned by the most powerful players in the industry – JP McManus, Gigginstown House Stud and John Magnier.