Queanbeyan's Boxing Day races will be missing part of the furniture for the first time in 20 years when trainer Neville Layt trades the track for family time on Tuesday.

But nothing was going to keep him away from the stables on Christmas Day, even if he doesn't have a runner in the five-race meet at Queanbeyan on Boxing Day.

The 73-year-old iconic trainer has just three horses in work as he continues to push aside any thoughts of retirement to do what he loves.

That meant two trips to the stables on Monday to feed his horses, clean stables and start preparations for future races.

So instead of saddling up horses, Layt, or better known as "Nifty", might pop down to the track to catch up with friends in the afternoon if the mood takes him.

"None [running] on Boxing Day, first time in a long time. I've only got older horses and there's no suitable races," Layt said.

"Just a quiet time with horses in work and then after the New Year we'll be into it again. I'm taking advantage of only having three in work while it's Christmas time.

"I think I'll have it with my family at home. It's the first time in probably 20 years I haven't had a runner on Boxing Day. But it's only the way the races are structured - it doesn't suit my horses.

"I just might potter down in the afternoon. It will all depend on how I feel and how hot it is."

That doesn't mean he can take a break over the festive season. He was up at dawn on Christmas morning to start work and went back again in the afternoon to finish things off.

"Nothing changes [for Christmas] - morning and afternoon someone's got to do them [the horses]. And that's generally me," Layt said.

"On Christmas Day I'm it. The staff go their way with their families, but it doesn't take long on Christmas Day. I'll go down the stables about 5am,  get all that done and be home by 7am."

He might be in his 70s, but there's no thought of retirement.

How could he? The next Karuta Queen could be waiting for him at the upcoming sales, bringing back memories of the Magic Millions Two-year-old Classic she won back in 2011.

One of the "babies" he buys could go on to similar heights - either that or they could all be "slugs".

"No, what would I do in retirement? Just coz I'm old. I haven't even thought about that. I've got too many young horses to come through in the next six months and you never know," Layt said.

"They're untried and you just don't know what you've got at the moment. There could be another Karuta Queen or they could all be slugs. But you've got to try. Retirement hasn't even entered my head."