Beloved Scots horse racing trainer James Ewart quits the sport and airs the reasons why time is up

Ewart admits the time had come to give it up to support his family and concentrate on his renewable energy company.

Scottish trainer James Ewart admits he has quit racing before he got sick of it.

The Borders trainer has decided to end his 21-year term as a handler as he looks to focus his attention on other work.

Ewart admits the time had come to give it up to support his family and concentrate on his renewable energy company.

The Langholm based trainer had his last winner at Kelso during this past midweek when Lucky Manifest struck at his local track.

But Ewart, 46, has pulled stumps as he said: “I felt the time was right because I didn’t want to leave racing on a low note, I didn’t want to get to the stage where I was sick of it, hated it or resented it.

“I’m of an age when I can still do something else. I need to do something unheard of in racing and earn money so that I can support my family, rather than spend it. Training has never been profitable in my experience.

“I’ve got to stop being selfish and look to the future. I set up a renewables energy company about three years ago and it’s started having a bit of success and making a bit of money and I need to spend more time doing that. I hope it’s onwards and upwards.”

Speaking in the Racing Post, Ewart, who trained his first winner in 2005 having been an amatuer jockey, added: “It was an easy decision. Don’t get me wrong, I love racing and I’ve loved doing what I’ve done. But I’ve got to be realistic about the future and I’ve got to do something that gives a better work-life balance.

“Training can be 24/7 and I’m a bit obsessive about getting every minute detail right. I’ve been very lucky.

“I spent time at Nicky Henderson’s under Corky Brown and had time with Jonjo O’Neill, then I went to Ferdy Murphy and rode my first winner under rules on Brooksby Whorlton at Kelso.

“I’ve had a lovely time and I’ve trained a few winners. I’ve enjoyed 20-odd years of doing something I love, which is more than most people do. I worked with some great staff and had wonderful owners.”