Huffer calls it a day as Guineas winner decides to bow out on high note

Months after pulling off the English-Irish Guineas double with Cockney Rebel, trainer Geoff Huffer has stunned racing with his retirement.

The 60-year-old Newmarket handler's decision comes only six weeks after Cockey Rebel was retired following a freak accident on the gallops.

He will saddle his last runner when Sonny Parkin goes to post in the last at Lingfield on Wednesday.

Huffer, who has opted to go while the going is good, said: 'I have decided to give up training for good this time. It has been at the back of my mind since Cockney Rebel went wrong in September and it makes sense to go out at the top now.

'It's been an absolutely magnificent experience second time around and Cockney Rebel has taken us to places we can only dream about.'

Huffer, a former drummer with 1970s pop group Mungo Jerry, first trained in Newmarket between 1978-1991 during which time he had notable success with the likes of Tina's Pet, Ile de Nisky, and Persian Heights. Huffer, who was then based at La Grange Stables, was forced to quit in 1991 when his Kuwaiti backers went into receivership.

After a 13-year break, he then relaunched his career in August 2004 when taking over from Conrad Allen at the newly-named Grange House stables. Since then he has saddled 29 winners but only one that really mattered.

Cockney Rebel made Huffer the first Newmarket-based trainer to complete the English and Irish 2000 Guineas double. The colt then suffered a pelvic stress fracture when only fifth behind Excellent Art at Royal Ascot in June.

Huffer said: 'I may be still involved with horses in the future but I won't train again.'