The wonderful National Hunt mare Snow Leopardess has been retired from racing.
The 11-year-old grey, who was trained by Charlie Longsdon throughout her career, clocking almost £250,000 in the process, will go to stud.
“She’s retired now, she’s back home and she just didn’t owe us anything,” Charlie said to Racing TV. “She had a few soundness issues at the end but she’s just been the most amazing servant.”
Snow Leopardess is owned by the Fox-Pitt family and is a fifth-generation home-bred, having been bred by William Fox-Pitt’s mother, Marietta Fox-Pitt.
“She’s with Mrs Fox-Pitt, Alice Fox-Pitt’s mother-in-law, and she’ll go to stud in the spring,” said Charlie. “All good things have to come to an end. They were amazing days, a lot of fun.”
Snow Leopardess’ career highlights include winning the 2021 Becher Chase at Aintree, becoming the first mare to do so after a great round of jumping, and the Virgin Bet Mares’ Chase, which is a listed contest, at Exeter in 2022. Her last run came in the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham Festival this March, when finishing sixth. She won nine times throughout her career, including in bumpers, over hurdles and fences.
It won’t be the first time Snow Leopardess has been put into foal, as she already has progeny in the form of Red Panda, after being sent to stud while recovering from a previous injury. Red Panda is also in training with Charlie and it is planned she will make her racecourse debut in the next few weeks, according to the trainer.
You may also be interested in…
Meet the Fox-Pitts’ grey mare with a ‘lethal’ buck, who is aiming for Cheltenham Festival glory after having a foal – Snow Leopardess
‘This is the dream’: Fox-Pitt family’s home-bred wins over the Grand National fences
Very unusual! Watch Fox-Pitt’s Grand National runner work on the gallops alongside her daughter
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.