Carlos Laffon-Parias, the first Spanish trainer to win the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, announced on Wednesday that he will retire from training at the end of the year.
Based in Chantilly, Laffon-Parias is best known as the trainer of Solemia (Ire) (Poliglote {GB}), who caused an upset when beating leading Japanese hope Orfevre (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) in the 2012 running of Europe's premier middle-distance race. He also won the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac on the same card with Silasol (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}), while the likes of Laverock (Ire) (Octagonal {NZ}), Falco (Pivotal {GB}) and Recoletos (Fr) (Whipper) were other top-level winners for their trainer during a career in France spanning more than three decades.
In 2023, Laffon-Parias saddled two new Group 1 winners, including Prix de la Foret heroine Kelina (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) who, the trainer confirmed, will race on as a four-year-old as he prepares to embark on his final season.
Explaining his decision to retire, Laffon-Parias told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast, “The last three years I've talked with my wife regarding the decision to stop and go back home [to Spain]. My sons are now working and have left the house, so it's time for me and my wife to change our lives.
“I'm healthy, I'll be 61 next month. I think when you're healthy is the right time to do it. I've worked all my life from Monday to Sunday and I want to do other things rather than to work 11 months a year, every single day. I think it's the right time to do it, otherwise it might be too late.
“I see a lot of trainers finish their careers because they haven't got any more horses to train or they have financial problems. I don't want to have those problems. I want to stop and I don't need much to live with. We've got a house already in the south of Spain, I'm going to sell my yard, and this is enough for me and my wife.”
Laffon-Parias added of Kelina, “The Wertheimer Brothers have decided to keep her in training and she's a very sound filly. There isn't a race for her until May 1, the Prix du Muguet. That is a Group 2 and then there is Royal Ascot or the Falmouth. We could run in the Lockinge against the colts, but I would prefer to take more time. There are a lot of races for her, but nothing before the middle of the year.”
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