Classic-winning trainer Tommy Stack has announced that he is to retire at the end of this year with his son Fozzy taking over the licence at Thomastown Castle.

Stack, who won the 1977 Grand National on Red Rum and was champion National Hunt jockey in theU.K in the 1974-75 and 1976-77 seasons, began training in the 1980s and recorded his first big race triumph when Corwyn Bay won the inaugural Cartier Million at the Phoenix Park in 1988.

A first win at the top level came four years later when Kostroma landed the Beverly D Stakes in Chicago and in 1994 Las Meninas won the English 1000 Guineas. Three years later Tarascon became the trainer’s first Irish Group 1 winner in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and that filly went on to land the following year’s Irish 1000 Guineas under apprentice Jamie Spencer.

Since 1999 Stack has been assisted by his son Fozzy and further big race success has followed with Alexander Tango winning at Grade 1 level in America in 2007 while during the same season Myboycharlie won the Prix Morny.

Stack said: "After some deliberation I have decided to retire at the end of the year when Fozzy, who has been an absolutely essential and integral part of everything here for the best part of 20 years, will take over the licence.

“We have had some memorable days all the way from Corwyn Bay to Myboycharlie and I must thank each and every one of our owners for their commitment and support during that time while I have absolutely no doubt that many great days lie ahead for Fozzy here at Thomastown Castle.”

TOMMY STACK'S GROUP 1/GRADE 1 WINNERS

1992 Beverly D Stakes - Kostroma

1994 English 1000 Guineas - Las Meninas

1997 Moyglare Stud Stakes - Tarascon

1998 Irish 1000 Guineas - Tarascon

2007 Garden City Breeders Cup Handicap - Alexander Tango

2007 Prix Morny - Myboycharlie

OTHER BIG WINNERS

1988 Cartier Million - Corwyn Bay

1989 Irish Champion Hurdle - Kingsmill

2004 Natalma Stakes - Fearless Flyer

2011 Windsor Forest Stakes (Royal Ascot) - Lolly For Dolly

2014 New York Stakes - Waltzing Matilda