Trainer Paul Webber to Surrender Licence After Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot Success

Webber, 65, will be sending out his final runners in Britain next month from his base in Cropredy, Oxfordshire. He has lived in Cropredy for most of his life and saddled his first runner in 1995. He plans to potentially have a runner in France in June.

The decision to sell Cropredy Lawn farm was influenced by the passing of his mother Diana in 2022, who was a co-owner of the property, as well as the challenges of covering the costs of the 62-box yard, which produced two winners during the 2023-2024 jump season. “We had to make the difficult decision to sell the farm as numbers have fallen, and the costs became difficult,” Webber explained. “It’s a big change after so many years here, but these things happen, life changes, and it’s onwards from here.”

Throughout his career, Webber has celebrated notable achievements, including his first Grade 1 win in 1999 with Hoh Express and subsequent victories with Patricksnineteenth in 2004 and 2020 Martin Pipe winner Indefatigable. He also tasted success on the Flat with Listed winner Kew Green and Ulundi, who claimed the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2002. Reflecting on his career, Webber expressed pride in his accomplishments and the relationships formed in the sport.

“I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved,” he stated. “We’ve had some wonderful days and a lot of near misses. It’s been a lot of fun, and we’ve met a lot of wonderful people along the way.

We’ve made some great friends in the sport.”

Looking ahead, Webber plans to remain involved in racing by supporting fledgling trainer Billy Aprahamian, based in Adstone, and taking on a consultancy role for the operation. Several horses from his yard will be transferred to Aprahamian, and the remaining runners will be sold in the upcoming Goffs UK May sale. Evidently, Webber aims to maintain his engagement with the racing world.