John Oxx, who announced his retirement earlier this fall, sent out his final runners on Monday. The trio of Monday runners contested a maiden at The Curragh, with the Oxx-trained Earlswood (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) finishing third in what would be the trainer's final race. Curraghglass (GB) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Safecracker (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}) also ran for the Oxx yard, but were unplaced. The day prior, Storm Legend (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) had won at Naas.
“Those are my last runners and they all ran well,” said Oxx, whose remembered as the trainer of the tremendous Sea The Stars (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}). “I thought the horse in third was coming to win, but he just got a bit tired. They are three nice horses and hopefully we hear more of them next year.
“The die is cast now and we're looking forward to retirement. We've been very lucky, we've had a great run and have no complaints. We're happy with the way life turned out.
“There comes a time when it's the right time to stop, and we've been thinking about it for a few years, as you have to have a viable business and there is no point going on when you don't.
“The more we think about it, the happier we are. What's the point in going on forever at it? I'll still go racing as I'd miss the people and the chatting. That's really what it's all about, the communication with people. I'd miss that if I became a recluse. I'll be doing a few bits for people although I won't be over busy. I'll be busy enough, I hope.”
“The horse that won yesterday [Storm Legend] is going to Fozzy Stack and he'll have a bit of fun with him. He could go for a Guineas trial.”
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