Trainer Karen McLintock to take break to focus on mental health after accident

Karen McLintock has made the tough decision to take a break from training to focus on overcoming mental health problems, stemming from the road accident she was involved in leaving Market Rasen last March that cost seven-time winner Rockwood his life.

Zabeel Star was a winner at Beverley for McLintock on Tuesday but is set to be her final runner for the forseeable future as the trainer prioritises her wellbeing.

McLintock, trainer of last year’s Northumberland Plate second Dubawi Fifty, in February significantly reduced the size of her string and made four members of staff redundant as she made changes to her operation in the aftermath of the incident.

McLintock said: “I’ve just struggled mentally since that accident. Five months ago I felt like I needed a break but with help from friends and people around me I carried on with a reduced string, but I just feel now that I’m back in the same, dark place. I need to have a pause, recharge my batteries and get my head straightened out.

“I still love the game and enjoy training. It’s a scary thought to be not doing that every day. I’ve met some lovely people in racing and my owners have become my friends. I’m eternally grateful to them for standing by me through thick and thin.”

Karen McLintock with yard favourite Rockwood in 2016 after victory at WolverhamptonCredit: Les Hurley

She added: “I feel really sorry now and that I’m letting them down, but I’ve got to take a break as otherwise I would get myself in a deep hole.

“After a break I may well start back again. I’d never say never in that regard.”

McLintock, who has been seeing a therapist privately, feels there is help out there in the racing industry for those who are struggling.

She said: “There are people you can turn to in the sport. There’s the National Trainers Federation for trainers and Racing Welfare contacted me after the accident, then people within the sport have been so helpful.

“It was only last night I was speaking to Simon Dodds [jockeys' agent], who has kindly sent me a book that he thinks will help me and has made contact with some other experts. He doesn’t have to help me and it’s so kind.”

Dubawi Fifty (near): finished second in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle last yearCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Stable star Dubawi Fifty will be heading to the pre-training and rehabilitation operation of Paul and Clare Rooney’s racing manager Jason Maguire, while at least two of McLintock’s string will be moving to Iain Jardine.

For McLintock it will be sad to see the horses go, but the trainer's health has to come first.

McLintock, who owned subsequent Champion Chase winner Call Equiname before his sale to Paul Barber, said: “One of my owners rang me yesterday to see how Zabeel Star was the morning after he won and he could tell I was upset and not in a good place. I was in tears the morning after the race and he told me as a friend that I’ve got to have a break.

“You should be happy the morning after a winner but everything gets on top of you and it’s a very hard place to crawl out of. I'm going to miss the horses terribly but it's something I've got to do.”

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