Veteran trainer John Dunlop is to end his glittering career at the end of the current Flat season.
Twice the winner of the Epsom Derby with Shirley Heights (1978) and Erhaab (1994), Dunlop, 73, also saddled the winners of three St Legers, three Thousand Guineas and two Oaks.
Only the 2000 Guineas eluded him of the five Classics run in Britain.
“I can confirm that I’ll be retiring at the end of the current Flat turf season,” Dunlop told the Press Association.
“There are several reasons behind the decision. I now have much reduced stable numbers and it is now less viable than it once was.
“My wife has also been ill for quite a while as well, so that has been a factor and I can also now live in the shadow of my very successful sons.”
His sons are Harry and Ed, trainer of the 2011 Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux and star mare Snow Fairy.
John Dunlop first took out a training licence in 1966 and was champion trainer in 1995.
Ed Dunlop, who has enjoyed Classic glory of his own in the Oaks with superstar fillies Ouija Board and Snow Fairy, said his father had been an inspiration.
“It’s difficult to know where to begin, he’s been at the top of the tree for so long,” he said.
“He’s trained two Derby winners, numerous Classic winners and has been champion trainer.
“He’s been a great inspiration to me and my brother and we obviously wish him a long and happy retirement.
“There are so many memories from when I was young, too many to mention really – Shirley Heights winning the Derby and so on.
“I owe him a huge debt for that and so many other things.”
Sheikh Mohammed, supremo of the Godolphin operation, enjoyed his first ever winner in Britain through the Dunlop-trained Hatta at Brighton in 1977.
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford was a one-time assistant to Dunlop.
“Quite simply he was one of the greatest trainers of all time.” Crisford said.
“He gave me my first chance in racing. I turned up and knocked on his door and he asked me what I could do.
“I told him I could wash his car and cut his ivy so it just shows the measure of the man that he took me on and gave me a leg up in life.
“I, along with everybody in racing I imagine, would like to wish him a very happy retirement.”
