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Legendary racehorse Allaho retired from racing aged ten

Published 11:56 14 Sept 2024 BST

Updated 11:57 14 Sept 2024 BST

Ryan Price
Legendary racehorse Allaho retired from racing aged ten

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The two-time Cheltenham Festival winner will now try his hand at dressage.

The owners of one of the most successful racehorses in recent years have announced his retirement at the age of ten.

Allaho is best remembered for his Cheltenham Festival winning heroics, winning an unforgettable 12-length Ryanair Chase in the hands of Rachael Blackmore in 2021 before defending his crown under Paul Townend a year later.

The impressive thoroughbred comes from strong pedigree as the son of No Risk At All, and his final career win came in the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles in January.

That win was a double-edged sword for Allaho's owners Cheveley Park Stud, as the horse picked up a strained hock injury in the race.

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That knock ruled him out of the Cheltenham Festival for the second year in a row in March, and ultimately has led to his early retirement.

Chris Richardson, managing director at Cheveley Park Stud announced the decision yesterday via social media.

Tributes have been pouring in on X for the two-time Cheltenham champion.

Trainer Willie Mullins described Allaho as "a seriously talented horse and a real pleasure to train".

Jockey Paul Townend wrote: "He was a massive, massive horse and every time you got the leg-up on him you got a shock as to how physically big he was. He was absolutely huge and just had so much size and scope."

He added: "He demolished two decent Ryanair fields, but I suppose it was the day he won the Punchestown Gold Cup up in trip that was probably his best performance. He was able to cover so much ground at his ease and gave us so many brilliant days. He will be sorely missed."

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