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I don’t shed a tear very often but sadly I have done so twice today!!
Sprinter was a monster and sooooooo beautiful to look at too!! He is without doubt in my mind the best looking horse I have ever seen and he certainly lived up to those looks with his performances too!!
Happy retirement fella
And then that happens straight afterwards. Sadness and desolation just doesn’t cover it. Nicky henderson who I have actually met is such a nice man who genuinely cares so much for his horses doesn.t deserve such fate!!
R I P Simon
After Vautour, Avant Tout and Ask Vic last weekend, the injury to Barter’s Hill on Friday, and now Simonsig, this has been as worse a start to a NH season in terms of star names as I can remember.
At least Sprinter bows out as he deserves to; in one piece and on the back of oodles of love from all who love NH racing and memories of a season that had established by the end that he was not just back but really ‘back’. Without doubt, he is the perfect horse, the best specimen of a steeplechaser, the best jumper of a fence and the best two-mile chaser I have ever seen. He is the benchmark against which everything else will find itself being compared – and coming up short.192p is about it. I would have loved to have seen him do what I think he would have done to Douvan in March, but now it will just have to be in the zone of ‘what if?’ On the plus side – at least I will be able to watch the QM live, rather than hide behind the settee, for that’s what these public property horses do to us all. They matter so much that we can no longer bear to watch them do what they do best (Dessie’s last KG anyone?!).
Hopefully a second career now beckons, where he will continue to be seen and in the public eye. He’d make a fantastic show horse; he could certainly show jump and do cross country, but he also has the presence and movement that makes a proper dressage horse. Lucky indeed the person who gets to ride him – truly, a horse in a million! “Simply, the best!”
Interesting that the Post’s list of Sprinter’s top five performances doesn’t include his demolition job in the 2012 Game Spirit when, as a novice with just two steeplechases under his belt, he took on established chasers and beat them on the bridle, despite pulling hard. With Geraghty sitting motionless, Sprinter broke Barnbrook Again’s 21-year old course record.
A stunning performance, and one which should really have made the shortlist.
As intelligent as they come. Always knew that he was winning and lapped it up from the crowd, strutting his stuff. Awesome. Goodbye matey.
Lovely post from Titus Oates, echo all that he said. What a wonderful horse and wish Sprinter Sacre a long and happy retirement.
Such sad news regarding Simonsig heart goes out to all who loved and cared for him. :(
I’m finding it harder and harder to watch NH lately.Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...Another who shed a tear or two. That was an emotional half hour or so. All the best for your retirement SS, hope it’s a long, happy one.
RIP Simonsig – You have gone too young and due to your injuries have not fulfilled your massive potential
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