Sir Mark Todd bids farewell to racehorse training after six dedicated years, seeking a fresh start and more free time, while embarking on new adventures in life and possibly the world of breeding and teaching.
After six years committed to the realm of racehorse training, Sir Mark Todd has chosen not to renew his training license at the conclusion of the current season. This decision signifies the end of an intriguing chapter for a man who has skillfully navigated both the challenging fields of eventing and thoroughbred racing.
In reflecting on his decision, Todd acknowledged that this thought had been weighing on him for quite a while. 'We've been contemplating a lifestyle change, hoping to reclaim some of our free time,' Todd shared in a special interview with Horse & Hound. 'Training racehorses requires total dedication—it's a 24/7 commitment.'
Todd has always maintained a small, manageable number of horses, and his venture into racehorse training started as a personal challenge to push his boundaries beyond eventing. Nevertheless, his dedication to the sport has not wavered, as his hands-on involvement has played a crucial role in the growth and development of the horses under his care. Despite his accomplishments, Todd believes it is time for a new beginning. 'I’ve been there, and now seems like the right moment to step back,' he stated.
This decision follows the recent sale of Todd's Badgerstown property, leading to a lifestyle change for him and his wife, Carolyn. The couple is currently looking for a smaller home, likely in the Wiltshire region, and they have made arrangements to rent a temporary place in the meantime. "We were lucky that the sale of our house happened so quickly," Todd commented. "Now we plan to take some time to explore where our next chapter will lead us."
Sir Mark Todd's first foray into racehorse training occurred after he initially retired from eventing following the 2000 Sydney Olympics. His period in New Zealand, where he successfully trained flat racehorses, led him back to eventing just in time for the 2008 Beijing Games. Following his final retirement from eventing in 2019, Todd redirected his attention towards thoroughbred racing. 'We've significantly reduced our numbers,' he noted. 'At the moment, we have only six horses, and I might race a couple before Christmas, but after that, I will stop training.'
Although he is stepping back from training racehorses, Todd plans to remain active in the sport. He has expressed interest in staying involved, likely through teaching and participating in the racing community. 'I will continue to be involved, and we still have connections to a few horses in racing,' he mentioned. 'We might also consider venturing into breeding and potentially buying and selling young stock.'
Looking forward, Todd is enthusiastic about the opportunity to travel more, contemplating a career that has spanned over forty years. 'It’s been a hectic 40 years, and now it’s the right moment to slow down a bit. There’s no use reaching the age of 90 and regretting the things you didn’t do.'
While the UK has been Todd's residence for the last four decades, he and Carolyn maintain strong connections to New Zealand and aspire to spend more time there in the coming years. With a more adaptable lifestyle on the horizon, Sir Mark Todd's upcoming chapter is poised to be as fulfilling as those that have come before.
