Knight calls it a day: Three time Gold Cup-winning trainer retires from racing

|

UPDATED:

09:31 GMT, 24 May 2012

Three-time Gold Cup-winning trainer Henrietta Knight has announced her retirement.

Knight, 65, will give up her National Hunt licence to spend more time with her husband, Terry Biddlecombe, who suffered a stroke last October.

Moving on: Henrietta Knight has announced her retirement from racing

The handler will forever by synonymous with Best Mate, who won three consecutive Gold Cups at the Cheltenham Festival between 2002-04.

Knight said on www.henandterry.com: “After much deliberation, and largely due to my husband Terry Biddlecombe's continued ill health, I have decided to hand in my trainer's licence.

'I have been incredibly lucky to have experienced some wonderful moments since I first began training in 1989.'

Based in Wantage, Oxfordshire, Knight has saddled over 700 winners.
She is due to relinquish her licence next month.

Mick Channon, who trains in nearby West Ilsley, will assume control of the majority of Knight's string.

Knight said: 'I am hugely grateful for the backing that I have received over the past years from my family, my loyal owners, my dedicated staff and from numerous top jockeys.

'Likewise the press and media have always been tremendously supportive.

'I would like to thank everybody who has helped me enjoy so many happy days.

'However, despite the above mentioned decision, I still intend to retain links with the racing world.

'My neighbour and close friend, Mick Channon, has agreed to continue to train the majority of the horses which are currently in my care.

'He, too, enjoys the National Hunt scene and is already making his presence felt in that sphere with recent good winners from only a handful of National Hunt runners.'