5 incredible racehorses we said farewell to in 2023

As 2023 heads to a close, join us in celebrating the wonderful achievements of these outstanding racehorses, who dominated their respective generations during their careers. Our thoughts are with connections of all horses that left us during 2023.

One For Arthur, 14

The Lucinda Russell-trained 2017 Grand National winner was only the second Scottish-based winner of the Aintree showpiece. After retiring, he won retrained racehorse showing classes and enjoyed hunting and cross-country.

Kicking King, 25

The National Hunt star, trained by Tom Taaffe and ridden by Barry Geraghty, won the 2005 Cheltenham Gold Cup and two King George VI Chases. He won 12 of his 28 starts and was placed another 11 times.

Cyrname, 11

Cyrname, pictured during his racing career.

The Grade One winner, trained by Paul Nicholls, was at one time the highest-rated chaser in Britain, and was a specialist at Ascot. He spent his retirement with Charlotte Alexander, where he enjoyed competing in team chases.

Sire De Grugy, 17

The two-mile chaser, trained by Gary Moore and ridden by his son Jamie, won two Tingle Creeks, a Clarence House Chase, two Celebration Chases and the 2014 Champion Chase at Cheltenham.

Desert Crown, four

The brilliant 2022 Derby winner, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, was put down after failing to recover from a fetlock injury sustained on the gallops. His winnings totalled more than £1m in the course of his four-race career.

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Gemma Redrup

H&H features, racing and point-to-point editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, having been part of the H&H team since 2014, who is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at in August 2018. Gemma’s reporting talents have taken her to numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.