Racing: Julie Cecil to retire from training ranks

JULIE CECIL has announced that she will retire next month. The Newmarket trainer last night said that she had been considering the move for some time. "It is probably the right thing to do as it's very much a young person's game now.

"I've had a lot of fun doing something I love but it's time for me to take up knitting."

Mrs Cecil, who began training in 1991 following her divorce from the leading trainer Henry Cecil, praised her owners for their patronage, particularly Lord Howard de Walden. Mrs Cecil's most successful year was 1992 when she saddled 30 winners.

David Bridgwater, who was forced to give up riding in February due to injury, is to start training from Tim Forster's former stables near Wantage. He will share the yard with Mark Bradstock, who moved in four years ago. "It was tough giving up riding, but I don't cry for long. Racing's all I know and I knew I'd train one day," he said.

The champion jumpers Sea Pigeon, Burrough Hill Lad and Sibton Abbey will parade before racing at Market Rasen on Sunday.