Lydia Pearce to hand over to son Simon at Newmarket yard

Journeyman jockey Simon Pearce has quit the riding ranks just four shy of his 100th win to take over the family training business in Newmarket from his mother Lydia.

The 32-year-old took ten years to ride out his claim as an apprentice but was a late starter in the weighing room, having not had his first ride until he was 21.

After riding one winner as a professional last year, Pearce jnr has now decided to enter the next chapter of his career following a working holiday at Santa Anita in California over the winter.

Pearce, who has completed all the necessary BHA training modules, is waiting for his licence application to be approved so he can assume command at Wroughton House Stables at the foot of Newmarket's famous landmark Warren Hill.

He said: "It's always been on the cards that I would take over the licence one day and I thought about it late last year when I rode out my claim.

"I spent some time with Richard Baltas in the US over the winter, where I learned plenty, and hopefully my licence shouldn't take too long to come through, although it can take up to six months."

When he takes over he will have around 12 horses in training, including Luna Magic, who was a winner for the stable at Yarmouth last week.

He added: "Luna Magic is close to my heart as she was my last winner as a jockey and my only one as a professional. It will be different having all the responsibility that goes with the training but my mum and dad [Jeff] will still be around to help out."

Lydia Pearce, who took over from her husband in 2011, said: "It's an exciting new chapter for the yard and it's time to let the young ones have a chance."

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