Legendary trainer John Moore to retire at end of next season aged 70

Hong Kong's winningmost trainer John Moore will finish his sparkling training career at the end of next season, with the jurisdiction's Jockey Club reaffirming its rules that no trainer can train aged 70 or over.

Hong Kong Jockey Club originally stated trainers must retire when they reach 65 years old but Moore, who has trained in the country since 1985, was given a five-year extension.

The terms of the extension state he would not be allowed to continue training after reaching 70 and the HKJC have reaffirmed that decision, meaning Moore will finish his career in 2020.

Australian-born Moore has trained 1,675 winners and is currently in a battle with John Size as he attempts to become champion trainer in Hong Kong for a sixth time.

Moore told the South China Morning Post: "The licensing committee makes all of the decisions on the licensing of trainers. They have made a general rule that trainers are to retire at 65.

By special approval, they have allowed some trainers in specially defined circumstances to go beyond 65 but with a limit of 70. It's a clear policy and the club has to adhere to it."

In control: Beauty Generation leaving a high-class international field trailing in his wake in the Longines Hong Kong Mile last DecemberCredit: Hugh Routledge

Jockey Club executive director of racing Andrew Harding added: “I think it's a matter of having set goalposts and then applying the policy consistently. One thing that is very important is that everyone is treated fairly, the goalposts were set in 2013, they were clearly known and they are consistently applied.”

Since the extension Moore has continued to be one of Hong Kong's biggest trainers and he has made history with Beauty Generation – one of the best horses in Hong Kong history – to a record-breaking season with eight successive wins and earning the highest career prize-money in a season.

He also trained multiple Group 1 winners Able Friend, Designs On Rome, Viva Pataca and Military Attack.

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