Call Equiname retires

Call Equiname, one of the stars of the Cheltenham Festival two years ago, has been retired.

As winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 1999 he proved himself an outstanding two-mile chaser, beating Edredon Bleu and Direct Route.

Trainer Paul Nicholls has endured numerous problems with Call Equiname, who has run only four times since his Cheltenham victory. “On his day he was top-notch,” said Nicholls.

“He has been a great servant to us and a privilege to train, even if he has suffered from recurring injury problems. He is sound as a pound now and had been cantering until last Monday.”

Call Equiname ran 21 times, winning 11 races and earning £180,000 in prize-money.