"It's the right time" - James Ewart set to quit training ranks

James Ewart says "it's the right time" as he reveals to Racing TV that he is set to quit the training ranks.

Ewart has trained more than 250 winners, which includes seven on the Flat, from his yard in the Scottish Borders, and struck with his final runner when Lucky Manifest landed the Strawmax Novices' Hurdle at Kelso three days ago. 

The 46-year-old was a successful amateur rider before training his first winner in 2005, and has held a training license for 21 years. He set up a company called ESB Scotland, a renewable energy company, three years ago and will be concentrating on that business in the future.

Ewart explained the main reason behind his decision to not renew his training license was due to family commitments, and that he has decided to stop being "a bit selfish" and look to the future.

He told Racing TV's Gordon Brown: "The time is right. Family has to come first and, financially, racing is a burden. You start to look to the future and wonder what you're going to do, and I just felt that we had to make a decision. 

"I think that it's a reflection of me being less selfish, and trying to make sure I have security for my family going forward, and to try and make everything work.

"I have a little boy, Jack, now, and I have responsibilities. Training is, generally, a bit selfish. You work long hours for nothing, and you live hand to mouth, and that's fine. I love it, I love the horses, and I will miss it greatly. I've had so many great days and I've met so many wonderful people along the way. It has been a hugely exciting journey right from when I left school.

"I'm probably a better trainer now than I used to be but the reality is, I have less horses, and I have less to spend to maintain the set up that we have here. We have great gallops at the moment, but the truth is, that needs money investing regularly to maintain it and keep it where we want to be. We need to be buying better horses, and we need a greater number of horses to make it worthwhile.

"Unfortunately, I don't have enough owners to make it pay, and we don't have enough quality horses to take it forward with. That is the sad reality. I literally adore racing, and I've got nothing to complain about. I've had 21 years do the one thing that I love more than anything else. I've been very lucky and done more than most. It's just a financial decision based on us all looking at the forecast for racing as it is. Things are getting tougher, and will get much tougher in the next two or three years, so now is the time to admit I need to concentrate on other jobs."

During his early days in racing, Ewart spent time at Nicky Henderson's under Corky Brown and also worked for Jonjo O'Neill and Ferdy Murphy. 

Ewart also enjoyed a successful spell in France, and spent four years with Guillaume Macaire as Assistant Trainer, during which he was crowned Champion Amateur Jockey in 2000.

Reflecting on his career in racing, Ewart said: "I've been so privileged to work in racing. Honestly, I've loved every minute of it, and I wouldn't change it for the world. We've had lovely owners who have become great friends over the years and I think, in all honesty, we've been lucky with everything that I've done. From me having my first ride under rules at Kelso, to us having our first winner as a trainer, which was Kimbambo, also at Kelso, in the Morebattle Hurdle, and, possibly, our last winner just the other day with Lucky Manifest."

He added: "It's the end of the season, and a good time for the horses to move on to other trainers, and give them the best possible option going forward.  We are going to send horses to the sales at Doncaster on the 22nd May."