Hurricane Fly retired.

Johner

Legend.

shy-tall-knight

Probably the right time. It wouldn't have been fair to his legacy to persevere with 3miles and there was also little point chasing Faugheen around over 2miles all winter.

He bows out a Champion and will go down as one of the greatest.

Jon Stark

I don't feel a connection to a horse often but Hurrican Fly is one of the exceptions. What a horse who had a massive heart and tough as hell.

He's had an amazing career, I'm just sorry that it finished the way it did in France. He deserved better than that.

sdoc13

One of my all time favorites. Glad he has been retired and what a run in this years champion at cheltenham. Hope he has a very long happy retirement.

kfallon

What a star! Enjoy your retirement old boy, you've given us so much enjoyment over the years!

BumperD

Sensible decision. Hope he has a great retirement.

shy-tall-knight

It's a pity Robert Waley Cohen wouldn't do the honorable thing with Long Run:

http://www.irishracing.com/news?prid=132837&headline=Hunter-Chase-plan-for-Long-Run

skippymac6

shy-tall-knight wrote: »

It's a pity Robert Waley Cohen wouldn't do the honorable thing with Long Run:

http://www.irishracing.com/news?prid=132837&headline=Hunter-Chase-plan-for-Long-Run

Terrible that. A dual King George winner and a Gold Cup winner going hunter chasing. Brutal

mdwexford

Was never one of my favourites for whatever reason but I definitely feel he doesn't get as much credit as he deserves.

Arguably the greatest 2 mile hurdler ever, certainly the most consistent.

Was never at his very best round Cheltenham but he was pretty much unbeatable in Ireland.

Hope he enjoys his retirement, legendary horse who deserves everybody's respect.

kfallon

skippymac6 wrote: »

Terrible that. A dual King George winner and a Gold Cup winner going hunter chasing. Brutal

Did he not win only 1 KG?

EDIT: He did win 2, forgot when he beat Captain Chris

the groutch

mdwexford wrote: »

I definitely feel he doesn't get as much credit as he deserves.

I think a large part of that is the lack of credible opposition in a lot of his races (through no real fault of his own).
Had he run in some UK races outside of Cheltenham he'd have gotten more credit for his achievements.

BumperD

Kevin Blake has a good article on the atr website which was published a few days ago and sums up his career well.

Shemale

shy-tall-knight wrote: »

It's a pity Robert Waley Cohen wouldn't do the honorable thing with Long Run:

http://www.irishracing.com/news?prid=132837&headline=Hunter-Chase-plan-for-Long-Run

Nicky Henderson plot :P

Shemale

**** should have retired him last season instead of sending him to France €2,000,000 and owing a legend isnt enough for some.

Best 2 mile hurdler I have seen.

Shame we lost OC too early would have loved to see him V Faugheen

mdwexford

the groutch wrote: »

I think a large part of that is the lack of credible opposition in a lot of his races (through no real fault of his own).
Had he run in some UK races outside of Cheltenham he'd have gotten more credit for his achievements.

There were some soft ones in Ireland alright but he beat pretty much everybody during his career. Most two mile hurdles during the season are uncompetitive in England and Ireland.

With the prize money on offer here and not having to travel it would have been fairly crazy to go to England more often.

Hulk Hands

Only race I think he should've maybe gone for but didn't was the Aintree hurdle. He'd have lapped up 2 1/2 on on a flat track. Proximity to Punchestown an issue. Other than that though, never shirked a battle. In his prime, was only ever beatable on a track he hated. Loved the performances where Binocular and Rock on Ruby came to Punchestown and he made a mockery of them. Never ever fell either. Greatest hurdler of all time