John Oxx has decided to end his training career at the end of this season. He issued a statement on Monday which said: "In 2021, I will not be renewing my trainer’s licence. It has been my good fortune to have enjoyed a lot of success and trained some great horses.

"I am extremely grateful to all the owners who have sent me those horses to train since 1979, to all the great jockeys who rode them and to all the exceptional staff who have worked for us over the last 41 years.

"Over the years and right up to date I have been privileged to have some wonderful owners and I will greatly miss training for them but now is a good time for me to stop.

"My concern at the moment is that our staff can find alternative employment as our training business will cease at the end of this turf season in November."

Oxx trained many Group 1 classic winners throughout his career but he will be forever associated with Sea The Stars. In 2009 Sea The Stars ran six times and in six months, all in Group 1 races, and he won them all, culminating with the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

MORE ON JOHN OXX'S CAREER IN THE IRISH FIELD NEXT WEEKEND