Trainer Les Ross steps down to focus on shock cancer diagnosis

Horse trainer Les Ross is walking away from Australian horse racing. The Mishani Enterprises man announced that he will not be renewing his trainer’s licence. In a heartbreaking announcement, Ross revealed that he has secretly been battling prostate cancer for the last four years.  
 
Ross, one of Aussie horse racing’s biggest characters, has been one of the most dominant players in the two-year-old ranks for years.  
 
Ross’ licence expires on July 31, 2024.

Les Ross walks away 

In a shock announcement on Thursday, Les Ross revealed he was finally stepping away from horse racing.  
 
“I know I’ve said it a hundred times before, but I am stopping this time. I’m not renewing my licence,” Ross said. 
 
“When is a good time to stop? You tell me. 
 
“When should you walk away? Do you walk away when you are winning plenty of races? Do you walk away when you are losing plenty of races. Or, do you walk away when your prostate’s coming out and your licence is due for renewal? There’s no good time.” 
 
Ross has secretly been battling prostate cancer for the last four years.  
 
“t’s uncanny that on July 31, the day that my licence runs out, that’s the day I go in for my prostate operation. I’m having it taken out of July 31. I made the decision to take it out about three months ago, and July 31 was the day they could take me in. 
 
“I would have to have at least a month off and then come back after the operation. My heart’s not in it. It’s not fun for me anymore, even when I’m winning, so I thought I’ve just got to bite the bullet and not renew my licence.” 
 
Ross’ licence will officially expire after July 31. 

Ross’ legacy 

At 60 years old, Les Ross steps away from horse racing with as good a legacy as anyone could ever hope for.  
 
Born in Brisbane, Ross grew up in the bush of Western Queensland in Cunnamulla. This was where his love of horse racing grew and where his career as a trainer started.  
 
From Cunnamulla, Ross rose through the ranks to the national stage, eventually becoming a huge name with Mishani Enterprises. He also served as the Secretary of the Australian Trainers' Association for over a decade.  
 
Ross has 800 career wins to his name. He achieved all of these great feats without being able to read or write.  

“Mishani Man” Ross  

A key aspect of Les Ross’ legacy is his relationship with Mishani Enterprises and its owner Mike Crooks.  
 
The Ross-Crooks partnership has been one of the most successful in recent horse racing history. He spoke about this relationship when announcing his retirement.  
 
“The thing that was scaring me the most was that I didn’t want to fall out with Crooksie (Mike Crooks). I didn’t want to let him down,” Ross said.  
 
“But he was good about it, really good about it. 
 
“He was a bit shocked at first, but he said, ‘Mate, I’ve stopped you twice now, I’m not going to hold you back now,’ so the good thing is we are parting ways as mates.” 
 
According to Ross, he plans on living his life to the fullest post-retirement.  
 
“Two years ago, I bought a motorhome, and I think I’ve only done 10,000km in it,” he said.  
 
“Hopefully I can get that mileage creeping up a bit more later in the year.”