Wednesday 20 May 2015 12:47, UK
Henry de Bromhead has announced the retirement of his popular stable star Sizing Europe.
The 13-year-old won eight Grade One events as he graced the jumping scene for over nine years, including successive triumphs at the Cheltenham Festival in the 2010 Arkle Trophy and 2011 Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Sizing Europe also filled the runner-up spot in the Champion Chase at Prestbury Park twice, while other notable victories included two wins in the Punchestown Champion Chase, success in the 2011 Tingle Creek at Sandown and a stunning display in the 2008 Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
De Bromhead said: "We gave it a good bit of thought and we're happy that he's retiring in one piece.
"He's had a great career and there have been so many great days it would be difficult to say one was the highlight.
"We had some great days in Cheltenham but there were also great days in Punchestown, Leopardstown and Sandown.
"He's going to take part in the racehorse to riding shows now. There are some great days in Ireland during the summer and he'll go to Rosemary Connors to do that, who did all his flat work with him.
"He's been the horse of a lifetime, really."
After an emotional success at Punchestown at the end of last season, the veteran was brought back for another campaign and made a successful return by winning his fourth PWC Champion Chase at Gowran Park in early October.
However, he was well-beaten in the Clonmel Oil Chase and at Cheltenham last month.
Andrew Lynch steered Sizing Europe to 15 of his 17 victories over fences and will cherish the big days they enjoyed together.
He said: "He's been unbelievable for my career and we had some fantastic days.
"There were the two winners at Cheltenham and then for him to go and win in Punchestown last year just capped it all off.
"It's been a brilliant training performance from Henry and all the lads in the yard to keep him so fresh and well for so long.
"He was a brilliant jumper. I think he only fell once in his life and that was over hurdles with Ruby (Walsh) riding him one day.
"He was just a brilliant horse with a massive heart."
In all Sizing Europe won 22 of his 45 races, placing on a further 13 occasions and earning over £1.3million in prize-money.
