Paul Belsham
Race Images Palmerston North
Wanganui horseman Paul Belsham is to end his lengthy professional involvement with the racing game.
The former Group One-winning jockey turned trainer has called time on his career, citing financial reasons for his move.
"It has taken a while to make the decision, I've been mulling it over for some time," Belsham said.
"The hours you put in for the returns you get just don't add up. I even cut back on staff and did more myself trying to make it work before deciding there are better things to do than this."
Belsham stressed he didn't want to sound overly negative, but try as he might he couldn't find reasons to carry on.
"I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel – the costs keep rising and stakes haven't kept up. Realistically, I think Saturday stakes have to be up to $30,000 to give owners a fair chance.
"I have had to sell all the good horses to keep going and then get left with ones that I can't sell and they are very limited.
"It's time to get out while I'm still young enough to be employable. I've still got to place some horses and sell up some gear and then I'll have a look around – something will come up."
The affable 52-year-old has a lifetime involvement with racing - his grandfather Bubs Rayner was a trainer and his father Noel rode and later trained and likewise his uncle Evan Rayner.
Belsham rode 52 winners, including a Group One victory in the George Adams Handicap (Thorndon Mile) aboard Raywood Lass, before weight forced his retirement and a subsequent training partnership with Don Couchman at Hawera.
During that time he was associated with the top-flight performers The Filbert, The Bishop and Pinson.
"I branched out on my own in 1993," said Belsham, who has a training career tally of 241 winners.
One of his final runners will be Perfect Harmonee, appropriately in the Gudsell Clan 1200 at Wanganui on Thursday.
"Steve Gudsell (a part-owner) has been one of my strongest supporters," he said.
Belsham also trained the Gudsell-owned Start Wondering to win four of his eight starts before he added a further three victories from Chris Waller's Sydney stable. – NZ Racing Desk.
The former Group One-winning jockey turned trainer has called time on his career, citing financial reasons for his move.
"It has taken a while to make the decision, I've been mulling it over for some time," Belsham said.
"The hours you put in for the returns you get just don't add up. I even cut back on staff and did more myself trying to make it work before deciding there are better things to do than this."
Belsham stressed he didn't want to sound overly negative, but try as he might he couldn't find reasons to carry on.
"I can't see any light at the end of the tunnel – the costs keep rising and stakes haven't kept up. Realistically, I think Saturday stakes have to be up to $30,000 to give owners a fair chance.
"I have had to sell all the good horses to keep going and then get left with ones that I can't sell and they are very limited.
"It's time to get out while I'm still young enough to be employable. I've still got to place some horses and sell up some gear and then I'll have a look around – something will come up."
The affable 52-year-old has a lifetime involvement with racing - his grandfather Bubs Rayner was a trainer and his father Noel rode and later trained and likewise his uncle Evan Rayner.
Belsham rode 52 winners, including a Group One victory in the George Adams Handicap (Thorndon Mile) aboard Raywood Lass, before weight forced his retirement and a subsequent training partnership with Don Couchman at Hawera.
During that time he was associated with the top-flight performers The Filbert, The Bishop and Pinson.
"I branched out on my own in 1993," said Belsham, who has a training career tally of 241 winners.
One of his final runners will be Perfect Harmonee, appropriately in the Gudsell Clan 1200 at Wanganui on Thursday.
"Steve Gudsell (a part-owner) has been one of my strongest supporters," he said.
Belsham also trained the Gudsell-owned Start Wondering to win four of his eight starts before he added a further three victories from Chris Waller's Sydney stable. – NZ Racing Desk.
