Shergar's work-rider Cliff Lines to retire as a trainer after 70 years in racing

Newmarket's senior trainer Cliff Lines has called time on nearly 70 years in the racing industry just 16 days shy of his 84th birthday.

The Exning-based trainer is still hoping to go out on a high when he saddles his last runner, Catapult, at Lingfield on Wednesday.

Prior to taking out his licence, Lines was best known as the work-rider of the legendary Shergar in his time with Sir Michael Stoute when he was also associated with other greats such as Sonic Lady and Shareef Dancer.

Cliff Lines : former work rider of Shergar

Prior to that, Lines also worked for Sir Noel Murless during which time he rode the top-class two-year-old J O Tobin at home.

Lines said: "I decided about a fortnight ago that this would be my final runner and hopefully Hollie Doyle can do the business on Catapult despite a wide draw."

He added: "I had a funny turn before Christmas when I couldn't get my breath and thankfully my wife Sue rang for an ambulance and they got me to Bury Hospital a bit sharpish. The doctors told me they thought it might be stress-related so it makes sense to step down.

"I've had a wonderful career and enjoyed every minute of it. If someone said I could do it all again I would be a happy man."

Lines started out as an apprentice in 1949 when he was attached to the Murless yard, which was then based at Beckhampton. He rode two winners in his time as a jockey and moved with Murless to Newmarket where he became a top work-rider.

As well as Shergar, Lines rode the likes of Royal Palace (1967 Derby winner) and Hethersett (1962 St Leger winner) at home and has even named his current premises after the latter.

He recalled: "Shergar had got beaten on his final start as a two-year-old so he was still under the radar when he started out at three. I rode him work in the spring when he cruised past the Northumberland Plate winner Dawn Johnny and beat him ten lengths, and we had 33-1 for the Derby about him after that. He was the best I've ever ridden."

On his chances of going out on a winner, he added: "Catapult ran well to be third at Lingfield the other day and Hollie Doyle gets on well with him. If she can get him out he'll take some catching."

Four other golden oldies . . .

Gary Player, golf

Once known on the course as Mr Fitness, South African golfer Gary Player continued to prove that title was not just a nickname by playing professionally until 2009, when he was 73 years of age.

Having won nine majors across three decades, Player featured in the Masters 52 times from 1957 until 2009, missing the 1973 competition due to injury but winning it the following year.

Roy Hodgson, football

The 71-year-old Crystal Palace head coach can break the record for oldest ever Premier League manager in a couple of months – currently held by the late Bobby Robson – with a career in football starting in 1965 still going strong.

He has managed 20 different teams at club and international level, with seven Swedish league titles and reaching the Europa League final with Fulham among his greatest accomplishments.

Roy Hodgson: on the cusp of becoming the oldest manager ever in the Premier LeagueCredit: Mark Robinson

Fred Davis, snooker

The eight-time world champion had a career that spanned 64 years from 1929 all the way up to 1993. He made his final TV appearance at the 1991 World Masters, before retiring at the age of 79 two years later.

Hershel McGriff, NASCAR

The Oregon-born stock-car racing driver made history in January 2018 when he became the oldest person to start a NASCAR-sanctioned race, driving in the K&N Pro Series West at the age of 90.

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