There was no fairytale finish but Pat Webster can look forward to the next stage of his life after saddling up his final runner at Newcastle.
The popular trainer announced his retirement from training earlier this week and had his last runner, Kosciusko, at Broadmeadow on Saturday.
Ridden by his stable apprentice Brandon Griffiths and sporting Webster’s original colours of orange with a black maltese cross, hooped sleeves and cap, Kosciusko kicked strongly but was run down by Mikayla Weir on Leave Me Some over the final bounds.
In his usual laconic style, Webster said Weir didn’t pay attention to instructions.
“I said to the apprentices it was my day but Mikayla didn’t listen,” Webster told Sky Channel.
“He tried hard.”
Webster, who took out his trainers’ licence in 1978, has enjoyed a wonderful career with his best horses headed by Group One winner Happy Clapper and smart sprinter Ab Initio.
He will remain involved in the industry through his work with Racing NSW but his retirement from training marks the end of an era.
“The training side is finished, it’s really sad. I’ll have a cry tonight over a glass of red,” he said.
