Mr Henderson's 2010 Champion Hurdler Binocular has been retired due to a "heart issue". On his day he was a very, very good hurdler. I wish him a long and happy retirement
I do too I have always beened puzzled by his name - surely it should be Binoculars, no? As in "a pair of binoculars" being a plural item, consisting of two monoculars joined together. Maybe he should have more accurately been name Monocular! I have too much time on my hands these days! Edit: my bug has come back to life!! Edit 2: dead again - wtf??
He had alot of potenital shame he didnt always show it but was a very classy horse on his day but he deserces a long happy rest!
Happy retirement Binocular, old boy. As my regular readers are aware he was one of my all time favourite horses of all time and in my view the 2nd best hurdler thus far this millennium – behind the brilliant Hardy Eustace. Was imperious in his Champion Hurdle romp of 2010 but must go down as unfortunate not to win a whole host of them – McCoy mucked it up on him in the race twice whilst in 2011 he was, of course, robbed of running due to those ‘unfortunate circumstances’. Great to see Binocular get out of the game in one piece though and I wish him a very long and a very happy retirement. Certainly owes connections nothing after winning 4 Grade 1 races (proper Grade 1 races as well) and almost £800k
I see that Mr Henderson has said today re Bincolar, "When he was right he was a very good horse, absolutely bang top class. He won a Champion Hurdle and probably should have won three." Very polite (well what else do you expect from such a gentleman) way of saying - McManus, old boy, this would indeed have happened if you would have let me select the saddle monkey! Nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more...
