Punters hail ‘one of the GOATs’ as Cheltenham Festival hero retires aged ten – with surprising career change confirmed
PUNTERS hailed ‘one of the GOATs’ as Cheltenham Festival hero Allaho was retired aged ten – and given a surprise new career.
The two-time Ryanair winner was one of the bankers of the Festival when last winning the 2m4f chase in 2022 at odds of 4-7.
That was his second victory in the top-class middle-distance race and established the Willie Mullins-trained monster as a firm fan favourite.
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But owners Cheveley Park have confirmed the curtain has come down on his brilliant career, after one final victory at Thurles in Ireland last January.
Now he will follow in the hoofsteps of former Gold Cup king Native River by starting a new career in dressage.
A statement from Cheveley read on Friday: “Dual @Ryanair Chase and four-time Grade 1 winner Allaho has been retired from racing
@WillieMullinsNH.
“He will be retained by @CPStudOfficial but will start a new career with Emma Vine, who will aim to compete him in the @RoRlatest program next year.”
ROR is Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), and British racing’s official charity for the welfare of horses that have retired from racing.
Allaho won half of his lifetime races – ten from 20 – and amassed just shy of £800,000 in prize money.
The massive son of No Risk At All was favourite for a third Ryanair at this year’s Cheltenham but injury after that Thurles success ruled him out.
Labelled a monster by Paul Townend, Allaho won his two Ryanair crowns by a combined 26 lengths.
No one could touch him at that trip but he proved equally effective at three miles too, his jaw-dropping Punchestown Gold Cup win in 2022 evidence of that.
Allaho never broke sweat seeing off former King George winner Clan Des Obeaux by 14 lengths with two-time Gold Cup champ Al Boum Photo miles behind in third.
Punters were quick to pay tribute to one of the greats.
One said: “An absolute warrior, a relentless galloper at his brilliant best. Wishing him a long and happy retirement.”
While a fellow fan posted online: “One of the best on his day. Happy retirement to the big bus that is Allaho.”
While Mullins said: “Allaho has been a great servant to Closutton and I am delighted that he retired sound. We wish him well in his new career.”
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