Peter and Dawn Williams
Trish Dunell
Tough economic times in the thoroughbred industry have forced Peter and Dawn Williams to make one of the hardest decisions of their training career.
The Byerley Park husband and wife team have regretfully ended their partnership with Paul Richards.
"It's just a business decision and one that Dawn and I didn't want to have to do, but until the stakes get better it's just too tight," Peter Williams said.
"It's been very amicable and we've got a lot of time for Paul – he's a very good friend and a very good horseman and we have no regrets about the partnership.
"We've been quite successful, but it's becoming harder and harder to keep afloat.
"We've only got about 25 in work so it's not a big team and like I said, it's a business decision and one we didn't want to make but we weren't left with a choice."
Williams said he couldn't foresee any change for the better in racing.
"The winter is coming and unless you've got jumpers there's no earning capacity.
"The industry has got to make some decisions and soon. Racing has been my life and we're not giving up, but we had to make some decisions and changes if Dawn and I are to keep going. It's become really, really tough."
The Williams' moved their operation north from Riccarton to Byerley Park in late 2011 and Richards and his wife Leanne followed suit from their Wingatui base in 2014.
After an initial solo period, Richards joined the partnership the following year. His first runner in his own right again will be Natuzzi in Saturday's Gr.1 NRM Sprint at Te Rapa. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Byerley Park husband and wife team have regretfully ended their partnership with Paul Richards.
"It's just a business decision and one that Dawn and I didn't want to have to do, but until the stakes get better it's just too tight," Peter Williams said.
"It's been very amicable and we've got a lot of time for Paul – he's a very good friend and a very good horseman and we have no regrets about the partnership.
"We've been quite successful, but it's becoming harder and harder to keep afloat.
"We've only got about 25 in work so it's not a big team and like I said, it's a business decision and one we didn't want to make but we weren't left with a choice."
Williams said he couldn't foresee any change for the better in racing.
"The winter is coming and unless you've got jumpers there's no earning capacity.
"The industry has got to make some decisions and soon. Racing has been my life and we're not giving up, but we had to make some decisions and changes if Dawn and I are to keep going. It's become really, really tough."
The Williams' moved their operation north from Riccarton to Byerley Park in late 2011 and Richards and his wife Leanne followed suit from their Wingatui base in 2014.
After an initial solo period, Richards joined the partnership the following year. His first runner in his own right again will be Natuzzi in Saturday's Gr.1 NRM Sprint at Te Rapa. – NZ Racing Desk.