Grand-National-Winning Trainer Oliver Sherwood To Retire In July

Jumps trainer Oliver Sherwood will retire at the end of July after almost 40 years in the business. The 2015 Grand National-winning handler is calling time on his training career but will remain in the industry as Harry Derham’s assistant.

Oliver Sherwood Will Retire From Training, But Become Harry Derham’s Assistant

Oliver Sherwood trained his first winner – The Breener – in 1984 at Newbury and with that horse going onto land the Challow Hurdle later that year, the former rider fast made a name for himself.

Having learned the ‘training ropes’ as assistant to Arthur Moore and Fred Winter (taking over from Nicky Henderson) between 1975 and 1984, Sherwood then went out on his own and since 1984 has fired in 1,199 winners and there could be a few more to come before he retires on July 29th 2023.

Sherwood won’t be putting his feet up totally though as despite being almost 70 wants to remain in the game and has been accepted as assistant horse racing trainer to former Harry Derham, who learnt his trade with champion trainer Paul Nicholls.

He’s expected to hand over his training licence on Saturday July 29th 2023 but hopes many of his existing horses, owners and some of his devoted stable staff will make the switch to Derham’s yard too.

Many Clouds Winning The 2015 Grand National Sherwood’s Biggest Highlight

Over the years, despite not hitting the heights of Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson, Oliver Sherwood still has plenty to shout about – including a Grand National win in 2015, a race that is still eluding Henderson.

Large Action, Young Snugfit, Cenkos, Coulton and Aldino are other big names the older horse racing fans will remember doing well for Sherwood, but it was his National win in 2015 by Many Clouds that will sit as his biggest achievement as a trainer.

Many Clouds also landed the Hennessy Gold Cup and Cotwolds Chase for Sherwood and ran in the famous Trevor Hemmings green, yellow and white silks that were often seen in action next to the Sherwood name.

Sherwood Beat Cancer Recently Too

Another reason Oliver Sherwood is giving for calling time on his training career is his recent battle with cancer. He’s recovered now, but also recently lost a close friend – Richard Aston – suddenly from the disease and as a result he’s been made aware just how precious time is.

He wants to remain involved with the horses, but without the “day-to-day stresses and worry of trying to make ends meet”.

Sherwood Told His Facebook Followers

“As you will probably already know I’m going to retire from training at the end of July after 39 years.

It’s been a tough decision to make but with dwindling numbers it became inevitable.”

“That was the main reason but after recovering from cancer myself and then losing a very close friend of mine, Richard Aston, recently from the same dreadful disease it makes you aware how precious time is.

I love training and I couldn’t be without horses but I want to enjoy it again without the stress and worry of trying to make ends meet.”

“So whilst this is an end of one chapter it’s the beginning of another and I’m lucky to have secured a position as an assistant to Harry Derham, he had a fantastic first season last winter and as his string is set to increase two or three fold over the coming months, years it’s an exciting challenge to be involved in and I’m deeply flattered that he feels I can add something to his expanding team.”

“Harry learnt from one of the best jump trainers in the business, Paul Nicholls, so I’m looking forward to learning from him and hopefully blending in some of my experience if needed.”

“I’m hoping many of the horses/owners I have will move to Harry’s along with some or all of my loyal team, so it’ll be nice to continue to be around the horses I already know and for my team to have a good job in a fantastic new purpose built yard which will make the transition much easier.”

“I’ve had an amazing time training and I’ve been lucky to have had some great times on a racecourse the pinnacle of which was Many Clouds winning the Grand National in 2015 and that along with six Cheltenham festival winners makes me feel proud and privileged to have had such horses in my care.”

“I’d like to thank all of my staff past and present and owners that have supported me especially in the tougher more recent times.”

“Also a big thank you to my sponsors Rewards For Racing for believing in me and making my string look so smart “

“It’s been an emotional few weeks in coming to this decision but now it’s done I’m very much looking forward to the future and I feel grateful that I have had such a wonderful career.”

I will continue to have runners over the next two months which I will post about”

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