Mark Pitman, who took over training from his mother Jenny Pitman at Weathercock House at the start of the current jumps season, suffered a major blow today when leading owner Robert Hitchins removed his horses from the Lambourn yard.
In a statement to PA Sport Pitman said: "Mr Hitchins informed me this morning that the horses would be collected today. It is obviously disappointing and we wish him every success in the future.
"I do not intend to make any further comment other than this statement."
The number of horses Pitman has lost is believed to be 17.
Hitchens has enjoyed considerable success over the years with Mrs Pitman, most recently with Princeful, who before having his career curtailed by injury won the Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and Ascot's Long Walk Hurdle, both in 1998.
Mrs Pitman also sent out the very promising King Of The Castle to win last season's Martell Champion Standard National Hunt Flat Race at Aintree.
Pitman recorded the biggest success of his career at Newbury in November when Ever Blessed won the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.
Somerton trainer Ron Hodges will take over the training of seven of the horses.
He said: "We've never had horses for Mr Hitchens before and we are very much looking forward to training them for him.
"Besides the two horses that have already run I gather the others are really nice young horses who have not yet run.
"Hopefully we can train a few winners for Mr Hitchens in the near future."
Mandy Bowlby is also set to receive some of the Hitchens horses.
A spokesman for the Wantage trainer said: "I understand we are getting some of them but I don't know how many."
