English/Ire
Appreciate It retired after Thurles injury
Willie Mullins’ three-time Grade 1 winner Appreciate It has been retired after suffering an injury during his latest run at Thurles.
The twelve-year-old, who carried the infamous silks of the Masterson family, burst onto the scene with a 24-length romp in the 2021 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, completing a top-level hat-trick following wins in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle and the Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown.
An injury ruled out the son of Jeremy the following season and he subsequently returned from a year off the track to finish a respectable sixth behind Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Willie Mullins' charge went on to score four times over fences, most notably winning the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles last season before successfully defending his crown with a twelve-length success over stablemate James du Berlais last month.
He was due to go on to contest the Aintree Grand National, but after sustaining an injury during his latest race, connections have opted to call time on his racing career.
Speaking to the Jockey Club, Patrick Mullins said: "He picked up an injury in his last run, he was a great servant and hopefully he'll have a long and happy retirement.
"His Supreme win was phenomenal – how far he won by was extraordinary. I had a good day out with him at the Dublin Racing Festival and, as a chaser on one day, we split Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow in the John Durkan Memorial Chase. Whether it was bumpers, hurdles or chases, he was mixing it with the best of them.
"He loved his racing. It was a pity he missed a year through injury, which was probably his prime year really. I don't think we saw the very best of him, but he was a yard favourite, and I had some great days with him, as did Paul Townend. He'll be much missed."
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