OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Citing the need to address significant health issues, John Morrison has retired from training after more than two decades on the New York Racing Association circuit. Morrison, 58, said he needs surgery on his back and hip but must first get his diabetes under control in order to have those procedures done. In the summer, he had two stents put in around his heart. “Right now, it’s just about getting healthy to be able to function, which I cannot do right now,” Morrison said Sunday from upstate New York where he has moved in with his brother. “Walking is painful, walking is difficult. Given the whole situation, it was just time to step away. I probably should have done this sooner than later. I just have to concentrate on me getting healthy right now.” Morrison said he has worked on the racetrack since 1983. He has worked for Rusty Arnold, was with Richie O’Connell when he had the Grade 1-winning New York-bred Thunder Rumble, and also worked for David Whiteley and Mike Bell. :: Start earning weekly cashback on your wagering today. Click to learn more. According to Equibase records, Morrison trained 181 winners from 1,691 starters from 1997-2020. His horses earned $8,413,933 in purse money. His most accomplished runner was Acey Deucey, who won three stakes including the Grade 1 Prioress in 2005. Morrison called her victory in the Prioress his career highlight, but noted that her jockey, Diane Nelson, and Morrison’s barn foreman James Baldridge are no longer alive. Other stakes winners trained by Morrison included Red Zipper, Uncle T Seven, Lady on the Run, Saythreehailmary’s, and Carrera Cat. Morrison said he was down to four horses in training and a couple of those went to David Donk. Morrison’s primary owners were Jeffrey Tucker, Joseph Gioia (Very Un Stable), and Vincent Murray. “I’m thankful to Mr. Tucker, Joe Gioia and Vincent Murray and everybody else who supported me over the years – all my help and everything,” Morrison said. “I just have to take care of me because if I don’t I’m not going to be here.”