Trainer John Oxx has announced he will retire from training at the end of this turf season having enjoyed a glittering career.

Oxx trained many brilliant horses in his career from his Currabeg base on the Curragh since he took over the licence form his father in 1979.

Equine stars such as Timarida, Ridgewood Pearl, dual derby winner Sinndar, Alamshar and dual Royal Ascot winner Azamour are among the stars to have passed through Oxx's care.

Mick Kinane was emphatic in his answer when asked about Sea The Stars against Frankel by @Ui_Maine on #fridaynightracing @hriracing pic.twitter.com/zMjij4oqxW

— Off The Ball (@offtheball) May 16, 2020

Sea The Stars was the horse of a lifetime for Oxx, the half-brother to Galileo had the perfect three-year-old season in 2009.

Sea The Stars won six Group ones in six months, including the 2000 Guineas, the Derby at Epsom and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Since that incredible season, things have been more difficult for Oxx who has not had the same firepower, with limited success and lower numbers over the intervening decade.

John Oxx Statement

Oxx released a statement on Monday afternoon to say he will not be renewing his licence for the 2021 season:

"In 2021, I will not be renewing my trainer’s licence. It has been my good fortune to have enjoyed a lot of success and trained some great horses.

"I am extremely grateful to all the owners who have sent me those horses to train since 1979, to all the great jockeys who rode them and to all the exceptional staff who have worked for us over the last 41 years.

"Over the years and right up to date I have been privileged to have some wonderful owners and I will greatly miss training for them but now is a good time for me to stop.

"My concern at the moment is that our staff can find alternative employment as our training business will cease at the end of this turf season in November."

John M. Oxx