TRAINER David Wachman will saddle his final runners this autumn.

In a surprise announcement the 45-year-old said he was leaving the profession to pursue other business interests and spend more time with his family.

Wachman enjoyed numeorus major wins during his 20-year training career. His most notable successes were with the fillies Luas Line, Curvy, Legatissimo, Again and Duntle. The colts Bushranger and Sudirman also won at the highest level under his care.

In a statement issued this week, Wachman said: “After much deliberation I have decided to hand in my trainer’s licence at the end of this season. While not taken easily the decision to retire will allow me to spend more time with my family as well as pursuing various other business interests.

“Over the last 20 years I have trained for many wonderful owners and I would like to extend my deepest gratitude and thanks to them as they have been absolutely central to the success that we have enjoyed here.

“The nature of training is such that you have plenty of ups and downs but I’ve been lucky enough to have many good days and train some top class horses during that time.

“Also a big thank you also goes to each and every one of my staff members for their unwavering loyalty, dedication and commitment and I wish them all the very best for the future.”

Wachman learned his trade working with Jessica Harrington, Michael Hourigan and Jim Bolger in Ireland, Bill Mitchell and Brian Mayfield Smith in Australia and Jenny Pitman in England.

Aged 25, he began training point-to-pointers and National Hunt horses in 1996 and sent out his first flat winner a year later.

In 2000 he recorded his first listed race victory when Rush Brook won the Ruby Stakes at Tralee and the following year he supplied leading jumps owner Michael O’Leary (of Gigginstown House Stud) with his first winner, Tuco, in the Land Rover Bumper.

In 2002 Wachman married Kate Magnier, daughter of Coolmore Stud owner John Magnier, and moved to Longfield Stables near Cashel.

Damson’s Royal Ascot win in 2004 brought his talents to international attention. A year later he sent over Luas Line to win a Grade 1 race in Belmont Park.

Another milestone arrived in 2008 when Again won the Moyglare Stakes and the following spring she won the Irish 1000 Guineas. She carried the Michael Tabor colours and was owned by the Coolmore partners, as was Wachman’s 2015 Newmarket 1000 Guineas winner, Legatissimo.

Last season he had 34 Irish winners but so far this season he has had just wins from over 100 runners. He had no winners between April 1st and July 12th.

Best horses trained (selected):

Curvy, Legatissimo, Sudirman, Duntle, Probably, Requinto, Again, Bushranger, Luas Line, Fracas, Damson, Tuco.