Sad to see that Salden Licht has had to be retired due to injury. Alan King's gelding was a smart hurdler and had made a very pleasing start to his chase career, beating Vulcanite last time out. This piece from Racing Post: SALDEN LICHT, who looked to have a bright future ahead of him over fences, has been retired after suffering a serious injury at Kempton on Friday. Owned by Dai Griffiths, Salden Licht was a winner on the Flat in France before adding victories on the Flat, over hurdles and fences under the care of trainer Alan King. The Fantastic Light nine-year-old made his chase debut at Hereford in December, finishing a close second to Vulcanite before gaining his revenge on that rival at Plumpton earlier this month, a victory that qualified him for a £60,000 bonus should he have gone on to victory at Cheltenham in March. Unfortunately he suffered a career-ending injury when finishing sixth in a jumpers' bumper at Kempton on Friday. Quoted on his website, King said:"Salden Licht suffered a bad suspensory and won't be able to race again, and we are in the process of trying to sort him out a good retirement home. "He was a smashing versatile horse for us. He won three races in France before we got him but he won again on the level at Doncaster, clocked up three wins over hurdles, as well as finishing third in the Grade 1 at Aintree, and then completed the full house when winning over fences at Plumpton in January." He retires as the winner of eight of his 25 races under rules and £113,851 in prize-money. Wish him a long and happy retirement.
