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5 incredible racehorses we said farewell to in 2023


  • As 2023 heads to a close, join us in celebrating the wonderful achievements of these outstanding racehorses, who dominated their respective generations during their careers. Our thoughts are with connections of all horses that left us during 2023.

    One For Arthur, 14

    Grand National winner One For Arthur retired

    The Lucinda Russell-trained 2017 Grand National winner was only the second Scottish-based winner of the Aintree showpiece. After retiring, he won retrained racehorse showing classes and enjoyed hunting and cross-country.

    Kicking King, 25

    Kicking King Kicking King en-route to winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2005.

    The National Hunt star, trained by Tom Taaffe and ridden by Barry Geraghty, won the 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup and two King George VI Chases. He won 12 of his 28 starts and was placed another 11 times.

    Cyrname, 11

    Cyrname is enjoying his new career after racing with Charlotte Alexander

    Cyrname, pictured during his racing career.

    The Grade One winner, trained by Paul Nicholls, was at one time the highest-rated chaser in Britain, and was a specialist at Ascot. He spent his retirement with Charlotte Alexander, where he enjoyed competing in team chases.

    Sire De Grugy, 17

    sire de grugy retires

    The two-mile chaser, trained by Gary Moore and ridden by his son Jamie, won two Tingle Creeks, a Clarence House Chase, two Celebration Chases and the 2014 Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

    Desert Crown, four

    Desert Crown Dante: Desert Crown, ridden by Richard Kingscote, on his way to winning the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York in May.

    The brilliant 2022 Derby winner, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, was put down after failing to recover from a fetlock injury sustained on the gallops. His winnings totalled more than £1m in the course of his four-race career.

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