Sir Mark Todd to Retire from Racehorse Training After Six Years

After six years of commitment to racehorse training, Sir Mark Todd has decided not to renew his training licence when the current season concludes. This decision signifies the end of an intriguing chapter for an individual who has skillfully navigated the challenging fields of both eventing and thoroughbred racing.

In reflecting on his choice, Todd acknowledged that this decision had been weighing on him for quite some time. 'We have been contemplating a change in our lifestyle to reclaim some of our free time,' Todd shared during an exclusive interview with Horse & Hound. 'Training racehorses requires total dedication—it’s a 24/7 responsibility.'

Todd has consistently maintained a small, manageable group of horses, and his entry into racehorse training was initiated as a personal challenge, a means to test himself beyond the realm of eventing. His dedication to the sport has remained strong, and his hands-on involvement has allowed him to play a crucial role in nurturing his horses. Nevertheless, despite his successes, Todd believes it is time for a new beginning. 'I’ve experienced this, and it currently feels like the right moment to step back,' he shared.

This decision follows the recent sale of Todd's Badgerstown property, leading to a change in lifestyle for Mark and his wife, Carolyn. The couple is now looking for a smaller home, likely in the Wiltshire area, and has already made arrangements to rent a temporary residence for the time being. "We were lucky that the sale of our house went through swiftly," Todd remarked. "Now we will take some time to explore where the next chapter leads us."

Sir Mark's journey into racehorse training began after he first retired from eventing following the Sydney Olympics in 2000. He enjoyed a successful period in New Zealand, where he trained flat racehorses, before making his way back to eventing just in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. After retiring from eventing for the last time in 2019, Todd redirected his attention towards thoroughbred racing. "We've significantly scaled back," he mentioned. "Right now, we have only six horses, and I might run a couple before Christmas, but after that, I plan to stop training."

Even though Todd is stepping away from training racehorses, he plans to remain connected to the sport. He indicated his intention to stay involved, potentially through teaching and participating in the racing community. "I will still have a role, and we remain linked to a few horses in racing," he mentioned. "We might also explore breeding, as well as buying and selling young stock."

As he looks to the future, Todd is eager about the opportunity to travel more, while reflecting on a career that has spanned more than 40 years. 'It has been a hectic 40 years, and now it’s time to slow down a bit. There’s no use reaching the age of 90 and regretting the things you didn’t do.'

Although the UK has been Todd's residence for the last 40 years, he and Carolyn maintain strong connections to New Zealand and are looking forward to spending more time there in the future. As a more adaptable lifestyle approaches, Sir Mark Todd's upcoming chapter promises to be as fulfilling as those that have come before.