Collingridge's parting shot

Hugh Collingridge has hit out at the racing industry as he prepares to bring the curtain down on a career that has spanned four decades.

The trainer's licence comes up for renewal at the end of this month and he has confirmed he will not renew it, saying racing is in "disarray".

The 63-year-old is one of the latest Newmarket trainers to reconsider his future, following Paul Howling's decision to hand in his licence last month.

Collingridge, who saddled Buzzards Bay to win the Royal Hunt Cup and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in 1982 and Cuvee Charlie to a Lincoln success in 1988, said: "I didn't have enough horses to go on with and I'm disenchanted with the way racing is being run. I don't think racing is being run.

"Fifteen years ago, we were chasing around in 0-70 handicaps for five or six grand. Fifteen years later, the same handicaps are worth three grand or less. The whole industry is in disarray."

Collingridge, who has won over 200 races and almost £1million in prize money, rents the Harraton Court Stables from jockey Darryll Holland, who is attempting to sell the 40-box yard.