Grand National-winning trainer retires

Jack O'Donoghue, the doyen of the training ranks, has decided to retire at the age of 88 after over 50 years with a licence.

O'Donoghue trained Nickel Coin to win the 1951 Grand National and saddled the Queen Mother's 100th winner, Gay Record, in 1964. However, his achievements were not all in the distant past and he sent out Hello Mister to win the last two runnings of the Portland Handicap. The Reigate trainer's last runner was also a winner - Myjinka at Lingfield on 6 January.

His assistant, Andy Eustance, said: "Jack doesn't say much but he loves to reminisce about old times. Hopefully, plenty of people will come over and see him and talk. He was very grateful to his long-serving secretary, Miss Wells, who is also in her 80s and recently suffered a stroke. They made a good team."

Some of O'Donoghue's horses, including Hello Mister, will be trained in the same village by Ted Powell.