PATRICK HASLAM, who has sent out more than 1,000 winners since taking out a licence in 1971, is to retire next month and handing over the reins at his dual-purpose Middleham stable to his son Ben, 25.

As well as holding the distinction of saddling winners at every British racecourse with the exception of recent additions Great Leighs and Ffos Las, Haslam, 61, is the only trainer to have operated from Britain’s three major training centres.

Kinnaird’s victory under Kevin Darley in the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp in 2005 marked the highlight of Haslam’s career, for it was his only Group 1 success.

But Haslam’s big-race victories have also included the Group 2 Richmond Stakes and May Hill Stakes, along with the Royal Hunt Cup, Victoria Cup and Bunbury Cup, which he won twice.

He is also proud of achieving the feat of three winners in one day at Cheltenham.

In addition to Kinnaird, other good horses handled by him included Godstone (his first Group winner, who was awarded the 1983 Richmond, after finishing third, on the disqualification of Vacarme and Creag-an-Sgor), Maroussies Wings, Mummy’s Pleasure, Hawkley, Pipe Major, Nigel’s Lad and King Revo.

He said on Wednesday: “Basically, Ben will be taking over the licence in the third week of February when he has completed his third training module.

“We all bow to circumstance.

My health has not been great for the last two or three years. Although I am in many respects quite well, you have to be so proactive as a trainer and I feel it is better that Ben takes over.

“He has crammed a lot of experience into his 25 years.

Obviously, like all of us, he will have to learn as he goes along, but Anne, my wife, and myself will be working away in the background, being as helpful as we can – though he will be making his own decisions and it will be his show.”