Superb horse over the year's, shame he has come to the end of his career as a racehorse but all the best to the greatest staying hurdler of all time
Here here. And what a brave effort, battling back to beat some good horses after looking gone. A legend who owes nobody a thing. A well deserved retirement and what a well deserved applause from the crowd as his retirement was announced. Poor old chap was slouching round the parade ring looking well and truly pissed off that he hadn't won. Then when the cheers rang out he pricked his ears and cheered up, bless him. Happy retirement and thanks for years of giving us so much pleasure.
It's always a good feeling when battle scarred warriors retire to live out their days doing something relatively more safe (I assume he will become someone's hack or hunter) Have a great retirement Big Bucks - I'm enjoying mine so far
Has a fall in the Hennessy Gold Cup ever had such an impact on the world of racing? You have to say kudos to Paul Nicholls for putting him back over hurdles, kicking off the greatest sequence of victories the sport has ever seen. The absolute dominance he showed over 4 years at the top was quite breathtaking and dragged the World Hurdle to the forefront of the sport. I wish you a long and happy retirement Big Buck's.
I can say I have been fortunate to see the send off of two greats of the modern NH sphere, first we had Kauto Star bowing out in a fashion after the Gold Cup and then we had the much better retirement of Big Bucks today. Unlike the day Kauto Star saw the racecourse for the last time, today we were able to give him a proper send off. He was applauded into the parade ring before the race, and then after the ceremony for winning owner, trainer and jockey, we saw Big Bucks being paraded around the paddock to rapturous applause. It was the best applause of the week for me, really nice send off for a superstar horse. I hope he has a happy retirement and look forward to seeing him alongside the likes of Kauto Star and Denman in a parade of Champions back at Cheltenham festivals for years to come.
