GROUP 1-winning trainer Michael Halford announced on Monday that he will retire from training in the coming weeks.

The news comes two years after Halford joined forces with fellow trainer Tracey Collins at her family’s Conyngham Lodge on the Curragh, having previously been based at Copper Beech Stables. Upon announcing his planned retirement from the training ranks, Halford reflected fondly on his achievements.

“Over the last 40 years I’ve been lucky enough to train for some of the world’s leading owners and there have been many highlights along the way with Casamento’s Racing Post Trophy victory and Portage’s Royal Ascot success among them, along with Certerach’s win on Dubai World Cup night, which was a really special day for us all as his owner Paul Rooney has always been such a tremendous supporter of the yard.

“Being entrusted with horses for the Aga Khan for the best part of 20 years has also been a huge honour and I leave the training ranks with no regrets. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and I’m hoping to stay involved in racing but for the moment I’ve no plans in terms of what is next.”

On what brought him to this decision, Halford commented: “Unfortunately our numbers aren’t what they once were and I’m not getting any younger so before the 2025 season gets underway it felt like the right time to bow out and give my excellent staff and loyal owners a chance to move elsewhere before the season gets underway.

“To everyone who has supported us since the early 1980s I extend my heartfelt thanks and gratitude. It’s been a great journey and I wouldn’t have swapped it for anything. We have a great industry in Ireland and one that we can be very proud of and I hope that I can play some part in this wonderful industry over the coming years.”