Trainer David Wachman has announced that he will retire from the trainers' ranks at the end of this season.

Wachman has considerable success in his training career since he took out his licence in 1996 particularly with fillies. His biggest wins include Group/Grade 1 wins with Luas Line, Curvy, Legatissimo, Again, Duntle and two-year-olds Bushranger and Sudirman.

In common with many trainers, Wachman gained his racing education by spending time with numerous trainers all around the world including Jessica Harrington, Michael Hourigan and Jim Bolger in Ireland, Bill Mitchell and Brian Mayfield Smith in Australia and Jenny Pitman in England. He was 25 when he took out his licence in 1996, training point-to-pointers and National Hunt horses in the early days. He sent out his first flat winner in June, 1997 and has not looked back. At the turn of the century, he began to concentrate on the flat with Maroochydore and Venturi big winners in 2003. The likes of Damson, Indesatchel, Luas Line and Fracas were notable winners while Again, Bushranger, Duntle, Sudirman and Curvy also bringing considerable success to Longfield Stud.

Wachman said today: “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 future.”

His first winner was Middle Mogs in a hurdle race at Clonmel in 1996, with his first flat success coming in June 1997 with Clewbay Pearl at Cork.

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 at Fairyhouse.

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

A year later, Venturi gave Wachman a first pattern success when landing the Group 3 C.L. Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh, a race he went on to win again with Chrysanthemum and Chintz.

He achieved the notable distinction of sending out Group 1 winners in five different countries.

Winners have been slow to arrive this season, Wachman visiting the winner's enclosure just six times from over 100 runners. He had no winners between April 1st and July 12th.

First winner: Middle Moggs, Clonmel, September 5th, 1996

Significant horses (selected): Curvy, Legatissimo, Sudirman, Duntle, Probably, Requinto, Again, Bushranger, Luas Line, Fracas, Damson, Tuco.