FOZZY Stack was busy this week at Goffs acquiring yearlings and is looking forward to saddling runners in his own name in the new year. Last weekend his father Tommy announced his intention to retire at the end of this year.

“We got a few this week and I will be in Newmarket for the next two weeks of yearling sales,” Fozzy reported yesterday.

“We will have a few jumpers, no more than usual, and will be mostly geared for the flat. It’s an honour to be stepping into my father’s shoes.”

Tommy Stack, who won the 1977 Grand National on Red Rum and was champion National Hunt jockey in the UK 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.

In 1999 Stack contracted meningitis and, while he made a full recovery, he has been assisted by Fozzy since that time.

Further big race success followed with Alexander Tango winning at Grade 1 level in America in 2007, while during the same season Myboycharlie won the Prix Morny.

Stack senior 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

OTHER BIG WINNERS