Following his victory Arthur, who is owned by Deborah Thomson and Belinda McClung of the Two Golf Widows partnership, was later ruled out for more than a year owing to a tendon injury but returned to run the 2019 Grand National, in which he came sixth.
Lucinda told H&H the plan had been to run the gelding in the Grand National this year had it not been for the pandemic.
“We were delighted with him in 2019, and everything was being aimed at the National this year – we had him really buzzing and ready to go,” she said. “I suppose it had been in the back of our minds if he’d run a good race this year we probably would have retired him after that. He’s done everything for us, he owes us nothing and to retire him now while he’s at the top of his game and looking fit and well, was our decision.
“He’s got a second career in front of him and can go on to do something else now rather than risk having a disappointment on the track later. The owners and I felt a huge responsibility because he is a very well known horse; he’s a legend, he’s a horse everyone in Scotland really adores, and that pressure was very well felt. We couldn’t make a mistake with him – that was a big thing.”
Lucinda said they have received some “fantastic” offers for Arthur from some “super” people, but the decision on his new career will be made by Deborah and Belinda
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“We spoke about it at the weekend and we’d love to see him hunting, he’d be fantastic to jump some big hedges on. I know whatever he does he’ll be an absolutely awesome horse to have,” she said.
“The most important thing is for him to go into a home where he’s going to be given something active to do because it can be very hard for these horses – he’s not ready yet just to spend his time in a field. He’s never really enjoyed mooching – even in the summer we’d have to get him in sharpish as he’d start to lose weight doing nothing despite being on great grass. He’s been a horse we’ve always had to carefully handle through his career and I don’t think a retirement just wandering around is going to be up his street.”
Lucinda added the gelding will remain with her at the moment while he is gradually let down.
“He likes his routine with us so we’ll keep him in that for a little bit longer and then make a decision. There’s nothing that needs to be rushed, he’s got many years ahead of him,” she said.
“He’s very soft in the stable and he’s got his favourite people he recognises which is lovely to see. It will be very emotional when he does leave us.”
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 to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
