Popular Grand National and Cheltenham Gold Cup horse retires with +£900,000 winnings

Hugely popular grey National Hunt horse Bristol De Mai has been retired from racing.

The announcement was made by Simon Munir, who co-owns the 12-year-old with Issaac Souede, yesterday (20 February).

He said: “Team Double Green are announcing the retirement of Bristol De Mai. It has been a privilege to own him. Bristol has been a legend and retires 100% sound and happy. Our thanks to Nigel, Sparky [Richard Bevis], Daryl [Jacob] and all at Grange Farm. It has been a wonderful journey that he has taken us all on!”

Bristol De Mai, who has been trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies for most of the grey’s career, is a three-time winner of the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park and holder of the record for the widest margin Grade One win in Britain and Ireland, when he beat Cue Card into second by 57 lengths in the 2017 Betfair Chase.

Bristol De Mai was bought from France by his current owners as a three-year-old and earned £900,768 in a 42-race career – during which he won 12 times, with Daryl Jacob riding him on 36 of those starts.

Nigel Twiston-Davies said to the Racing Post: “He’s been a star – he’s just been a really brilliant horse. He’s been a great friend to us and done very well over the years.

“To win three Betfair Chases was some achievement – he was one of the best in his era. He was third in a Gold Cup, he started for us at three and he’s retiring at 12. They’ve been nine lovely years. We’re very proud of him.”

Bristol De Mai’s final race came on Saturday (18 February) when he finished last of the 11 finishers in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase.

You might also be interested in:

Bristol De Mai crowned king of Haydock for a third time *H&H Plus*

Daryl Jacob: everything you need to know about this National Hunt jockey

Find out everything you need to know about the British jump jockey Daryl Jacob

Subscribe to Horse & Hound this spring for great savings

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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.