Announced a short time ago, Kauto Star has been retired by connections. From Paul Nicholls' Betfair column: Paul Nicholls and Clive Smith have taken the decision to retire Kauto Star this morning. Paul reflects on the great chaser - and a tough decision - in this Betfair exclusive The end of an era has finally arrived. Clive was here this morning and we have taken the decision to retire Kauto Star. We have had nine superb years with the horse but, after seeing him in his work these past few weeks, myself, Clifford and Dan were of the opinion that the time had arrived to retire him. Of course, as owner, the final decision rested with Clive, but he agreed that the horse had done enough. Don't get me wrong, Kauto looks and feels as vibrant as ever, as those who saw him at our owners' Open Day last month would testify to. He was mad fresh that day and continues to be as alert as ever and very, very well in himself. But I suspect Kauto will be like that when he is 20-years-old. And, deep down, we know he has done enough - and in some ways I think we have to protect him from himself. And maybe ourselves, too. If he did go to Kempton and win or run well, would you really want to run him - or be able to resist the temptation - in the Gold Cup? I am not so sure. Kauto is signing off in full health and after a season in which he proved so many people wrong by winning a fifth King George and a fourth Betfair Chase, to add to his two Cheltenham Gold Cups and Tingle Creeks. Who wouldn't want to train a horse of this quality any more? He is a once-in-a-lifetime horse, after all. Ever since he won on his debut for me at Newbury on December 29, 2004, the horse has consistently proved himself a class apart. And a £1m Betfair Million bonus in 2007 and 16 Grade 1 wins later, who would bet against him going to Kempton in December and making it number 17? But sometimes, you have to listen to your head and your heart, and both told me that retirement was the only option. You are a long time retired - as a certain Sir Alex Ferguson soon realised after stating his intention to step down as United manager some 10 years ago - and particularly if you are as naturally exuberant, intelligent and inquisitive as this great horse. I get that. Who else is going to put the up-and-coming youngsters in their place on the 5f gallop now, and put a smile on Clifford's face every morning - no mean feat that! - if he is retired? But, knowing Kauto, he would still be coming back in after grass at the age of 14 still looking and working brilliantly, and giving us that burning question to answer. And delaying my honest take on the retirement question would have probably been just selfishness and stubbornness on my part too - the equivalent of a football manager desperately clinging on to his best, if ageing player - and sometimes you have to look to the future and at the bigger picture. But at the end of the day Kauto is Clive's horse, not mine. And he made the call this morning. And a brave and difficult one it would have been, too, so all credit to him. But Kauto is also a public horse now, every bit as much as Desert Orchid, and to us here at Ditcheat that had to be a factor in the decision to retire. And while it would have been brilliant to go out on a winning high - remember Dessie's last race was a fall at Kempton - I don't think anyone present at Cheltenham last March would view Kauto's final appearance on a racetrack as a failure. The spontaneous applause he got from the crowd when he was pulled up genuinely lifted the spirits of all the team here - and it is the team here, from Clifford down, and Clive, that made Kauto what he became - at what was a low moment. Disappointment was immediately replaced by pride, and that is the overwhelming emotion I feel when looking at the horse. Ever since then, Clive and I have discussed retirement at regular intervals. But now the decision has been made it will be very strange to look out of my office window and not see Kauto's head and Denman's arse sticking out the main two boxes - or indeed Clive's Master Minded, for that matter. Because Kauto Star will be the hardest of acts to follow. He has given me my best days in the sport and, even though the Gold Cups and King Georges are the pinnacles for any staying chaser, with his 2009 Kempton win breathtakingly impressive, the raw emotion that followed his Haydock win last November will live longest in my memory. I had to hold myself together to stop myself being in floods of tears that day, and I just about managed it. But whatever the future holds, I am certain that Clive and all us here at Ditcheat will reflect on a magnificent past and I am sure we will both go on searching for the unattainable in the future. Namely, a horse to replace the irreplaceable legend that was, and is, Kauto Star.
Paul Nicholls has just confirmed on twitter that having spoken to the owner Clive Smith they have decided to retire Kauto Star. Although I'm disappointed we won't get to see him run another race I think it's the right decision. Here's to Kauto enjoying a well deserved, happy retirement!
So happy that Kauto Star has been retired. Denman was always my fav but I still loved Kauto and even more so after his 2 wins last season.
Right decision for me, and brings down the curtain on an absolutely magnificent career than has bought us all so many great, great memories! The best chaser I will ever see, and will always remember those amazing KG wins.
Wish him a long and happy retirement, he has been a marvellous advertisement for NH racing and has given so much pleasure and excitement to so many people down the years. I still remember shouting him home in last year's King George, a race that I will remember for ever for it's sheer drama and emotion. His versatility and durability have been a wonder to behold and it will be a long, long time before we see another as good as him. All the best Kauto Star and thanks for the wonderful memories.
I believe he could certainly have won more races, but also that they have made the right decision. His win last year in the betfair chase is my favourite racing memory.
You obviously weren't alive when Arkle was racing NamNed ! Indeed,Kauto Star deserves to be remembered for being a unique 5 times King George VI Chase winner and the first horse to regain the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Paul Nicholls was certainly blessed to have had 4 excellent prize-winning stars in his stable at the same time over such a period of time though Big Bucks remains the only one who delivered every time he ran over long distance hurdles with his amazing winning sequence...certainly the best staying hurdler ever !
What a glorious period this has been, when you think that you can wait decades to see true greats and only within the last we've seen - Sea the Stars and Frankel on the flat & Best Mate, Denman, Kauto and Big Bucks over the jumps - My personal favourite? Best Mate, so very pleased that Kauto gets out of this intact.
I wasn't AS but certainly would love to see some of his races. I've watched a couple on ol' t'internet, but that's as far as it goes. I think you have to applaud Paul and Clive on this one as it must have been so tempting to keep going, especially after hearing Paul's favourite "mad fresh" quote. Long and happy retirement!
It's been a wonderful time following the trials and tribulations of Kauto Star. The greatest horse of our generation, THE horse of our generation. In 20 years time there will be some other superstar horse on the scene, however I'll be happily telling stories of the greatest I've seen. His brilliance will be missed for a long long time
end of an era but I am pleased he has been retired now. he had nothing else left to prove. His Gold Cup wins are 2 of my favourite racing memories and to win 5 King Georges - wow. It could easily have been six as well. Followed him since his first big win - the Tingle Creek back in 2005. Maybe the next big jumps racing superstar will also win that race this year? - Sprinter Sacre
Good to see that he has been retired safe and sound. I just got the feeling watching the Gold Cup in March that he was beginning to fall out of love with chasing.
Arguably the best staying chaser since Arkle. Here's to a long and happy retirement. To win two Gold Cups and to regain the Gold Cup round a track that he never really looked his best at is frankly ridiculous. 5 King George's to boot to go with a host of Group 1s from as short as 2miles. He was at the top of the game for so long it's scary.
Goodbye old boy, I have done a wee blog about him. Legend of our times, and I hope he has a long enjoyable retirement.
My wifes favourite horse, very happy he has retired from racing sound. Let's hope to see him and my favourite Denman parading around the courses for many years to come. With Big Bucks still in training let's hope so of the Henderson novices from last year can step up and take over, Sprinter Sacre this means you!!
Denman is now spending his time hunting. There were pictures on Twitter last week of him out with the Beaufort. I'll see if I can find them.
Very well deserved retirement, am delighted they have called it a day- I was getting worried more & More it would end in tears! A true true chasing great!
