'I wanted to get out on my terms' - Bob Buckler calls time on 34-year career

Bob Buckler explained it was "the right time to give up" as he announced his retirement from racing, ending a 34-year spell as a trainer.

During a successful career, Buckler saddled a total of 314 winners which included victory in the 2009 Irish Grand National with Niche Market. However, after a number of major operations on his neck and spinal cord, he made the challenging decision to call time on his operation in the Quantock Hills.

"About a year ago, I had a couple of major operations on my neck and my spinal cord. It means I am fairly limited to what I can do," he said.

"We felt it was the right time to give it up. We had one winner and a second last season with only a few horses, but I didn't want it to diminish next season into nothing.

"I wanted to get out on my terms. It is very sad and we have had some wonderful times, but it is not getting any easier and we felt it was the right decision."

A young Harry Skelton is all smiles after winning the 2009 Irish Grand National on Buckler's Niche MarketCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Buckler also said racecourse restrictions, which were introduced in the height of the coronavirus pandemic, took a lot of enjoyment out of his experience.

"I'm quite old-fashioned," he said. "I like the social side when you can go racing and see the owners and have a good time with them. If you're going racing, running a horse and then going home again then it wasn't my way of enjoying it all."

There were, however, special moments during Buckler's 34 years as a trainer and he explained how they will always be remembered.

"Niche Market winning the Irish National was a big day, while winning the Grand Sefton with I Hear Thunder was also very exciting," said Buckler.

"We also won two feature races two weeks running at Ascot and Cheltenham with The Sawyer. He is a horse I really loved and he was a great character. He thrived on the way I trained and he battled and fought. He is still alive and he's out on the field, he is very happy. It was quite something."

When asked about his next move, Buckler said: "I would need to recover my enthusiasm for racing. I am sure that if you give me six months out of it I'll be wondering what I have done.

"I'm sure something else will crop up that I will get involved with. I am sad, but half relieved too."

Bob Buckler career details

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