In just two weeks' time, Josh Gifford will hand the trainer's licence he has held for 33 years to his son Nick.

Josh, 61, has sent out more than 1,500 winners from Findon following a career as a jockey in which he totalled exactly 700 flat and jumping successes.

As an apprentice, Josh rode 60 winners, including one at York in 1956 for the Queen.

But it was under national hunt rules he reached the pinnacle of his profession, 122 winners in 1967, giving him the jockeys' championship for the fourth time.

Josh said: "Nick has been working with me for a year and six months ago he decided he would like to take over.

"It isn't the best time, economically, to embark on a new project but it isn't completely new to Nick and most of our owners have been very loyal and supportive.

"In some ways he will bring a fresh approach to a job which has changed a good deal since I began all those years ago.

"I will be backing him up, of course, and Nick will hope to get new owners. Syndicates are the big deal these days, with less leisure money sloshing about, and that is a line worth following."

Josh's long-time cricket mate, Dorking businessman George Bird, is starting the Chanctonbury Ring syndicate which has already half sold out.

Bird said: "I have run seven or eight schemes with Josh and we've had quite a few winners.

"Most recently Camdenation has won for the Unstable Companions at Folkestone and I thought it would be good to mark the start of Nick's career in this way."

With up to 20 members in each syndicate, outgoings are modest and there is no doubt that multi-ownership is on the upgrade.

George Bird can be contacted on 01306 611323.