5 days ago
Willie Mullins-trained two-time Cheltenham Festival retired as tributes pour in
Two-time Cheltenham Festival winner Sir Gerhard has been retired. The ten-year-old won the Champion Bumper at the meeting in 2021 before landing the Ballymore a year later.
In total, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned gelding won nine of his 22 starts under rules and earned over €330,000 in prize money.
He was one of eight horses removed from Gordon Elliott's yard by the owners after a photo emerged of the trainer sitting on top of a dead horse in 2021.
The son of Jeremy was unbeaten in two bumper starts for the Meath handler at the time and joined Willie Mullins, winning the Champion Bumper in his first race for the Closutton trainer under Rachael Blackmore.
He also won the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle over two miles at the 2022 Dublin Racing Festival before tasting victory in the Ballymore at Cheltenham the following month under Paul Townend when sent off the 8/11 favourite.
Sir Gerhard was last seen finishing sixth in the Sussex Champion Hurdle behind stablemate Absurde back in April.
Tributes have been flowing in for the horse on social media, with Road To Cheltenham writing on X: "SIR GERHARD - one of my favourites - has been retired. A two-time Cheltenham Festival winner and a three-time Grade 1 winner, I'm thrilled to hear he bows out and fingers crossed he'll enjoy a long and happy retirement."
Someone else said: "Long & Happy Retirement Sir Gerhard. A horse that was a joy to follow who never stopped surprising & delivering."
Another comment read: "Congratulations on a stellar career Sir Gerhard. Enjoy your well earned retirement. I was there that god awful rainy day when you won the Ballymore, some doo that was. One of the proper ones!"
One other person wrote: "Sir Gerhard - a masterclass in economical jumping and pure class. When talent meets longevity, we witness racing's finest form. His leaping prowess will be sorely missed."
