Group 1-winning trainer Adam West has announced he is 'closing up business' just after saddling a winner on Wednesday. The trainer saddled the last Epsom-based horse to secure top level success when Live In The Dream captured the £500,000 Nunthorpe Stakes at York in 2023.
Move to France and financial pressures
Live In The Dream took West and owners Steve and Jolene De'lemos to the US where he finished fourth in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita, but a year later he quit the home of the Derby due to financial pressures to make a fresh start at Maisons-Laffitte on the outskirts of Paris.
At the time he told Mirror Racing: "It's financial. I feel like I've come from a training centre that is desperately trying to cling onto its reputation without the proper support, to one that has been amazing, taken a bit of a hit and now is on the up.
"That is one of the main attractions for me. I fought Epsom's corner for as long as I can but ultimately they are struggling without the proper support. The training centre is a victim of the increasing costs in and around the area.
"I struggled to make a business out of racing in England, even with a Group 1 winner. The pressure of trying to achieve what everyone thought Epsom could be made me quite unhappy.
"Balancing books was just impossible, whereas in France with lower grade horses that are probably going to continue to be my bread and butter, it's a bit more amenable for owners.
"You are looking at six times the prize-money with minimum purses of £10,000 and a better handicapping system."
Final winner at Chantilly
West trained nine winners in 2025 but had enjoyed less success in 2026. Viva La Skids contributed most of his wins and for his latest appearance at Chantilly, West booked British-based jockey Sean Kirrane, who was Live In The Dream's regular rider.
The combination clicked immediately as Kirrane steered the three-year-old to a three quarters of a length success. The filly became West's 11th success in France but only his second of 2026.
He told Equidia: "It's my last runner for a little while. We are going to try and close up the business and try again.
"For me, it's been an amazing experience and the few people that have supported us have been brilliant and I really want to come back but I just need to realign a few things."
He went on: "It's the best place to train, it's the fairest place but it is a tough industry all around the world and everyone is suffering a little bit. This gave me two more years from England to here and I've been very grateful for it."
Tributes from jockey Kirrane
Kirrane posted: "Delighted to ride my first winner in France aboard Viva La Skids for long time friend and great trainer Adam West. Wishing him the very best of luck with his retirement from training."
