It has been 20 months since Pat Rosney handed in his license and joined the ranks of the retired. Given the average age of Britain’s greyhound trainers, many are either approaching or surpassing the traditional retirement age. Rosney, a familiar face in the top echelons of the Trainers Championship, retired just a couple of months shy of his 60th birthday.
Pat Rosney reflects on his retirement with a positive outlook. "I’ve loved it to be honest," he says. "I miss being around the dogs on a daily basis, but I don’t miss racing or some of the aggro with the racing offices. I don’t suppose they miss me either."
Despite stepping away from the day-to-day grind, Rosney remains connected to the sport. "I continue to source a few dogs. That Antigua Kestrel, in the Derby, is one I found for Nic Jeal. I enjoy all of that involvement still. I haven’t been to a track, though that is mainly because there isn’t one anywhere near me."
So, how does a former top trainer fill his time post-retirement? Rosney and his wife Julie have embraced travel and leisure. "Julie and I travel a lot. We are down for three days to see the Derby and Oaks at Epsom. We have a holiday in Canada booked. I play a lot of golf and enjoy some gardening."
However, Rosney admits that the transition wasn’t entirely smooth. "The one mistake I did make was retiring at the wrong time of the year, September. I went from working seven days a week to no days a week going into the winter and I was bored stiff."
Rosney has valuable advice for fellow trainers approaching retirement. "The most important piece of advice I would give – and I would ask all trainers to seriously consider it – get a decent pension. Most trainers don’t plan ahead well enough. I didn’t. They expect to muddle through and leave the game in a box. But without some additional income, life can be tough."
He underscores the importance of financial planning, reflecting on his own experience. "We had the kennel to sell which has got us through, but in hindsight, a decent pension as well would have been a massive help."
Rosney also suggests a potential business avenue for trainers. "We sold our place to become boarding kennels and it might be worth trainers with suitable kennels turning some of those over to boarders themselves. Even now. These boarders are charged £20 per day, with food on top, or bring your own food. They are inundated with business. If I had tried to charge £20 a day for a greyhound – and that’s before you’ve bought the vans and all the running around – I wouldn’t have had a dog in the kennel."
Reflecting on his career and retirement, Rosney feels content. "I don’t regret my time in dogs. I loved it but I think I got out at just about the right time." His insights and advice offer valuable lessons for trainers navigating the path to retirement, emphasizing the importance of planning and adaptability in ensuring a fulfilling post-career life.