Suny Bay retired

Dual Martell Grand National runner-up Suny Bay has been retired.

The 12-year-old grey, who finished second to Lord Gyllene at Aintree in 1997 and to Earth Summit the following year, was pulled up on his final start at Warwick on Saturday.

Suny Bay had struggled to find his form in recent years and had not won since landing the Tommy Whittle Chase at Haydock Park in December 1998.

His owner Andrew Cohen said: "I, in conjunction with my trainer Alex Hales, have decided to retire Suny Bay.

"Although he is fit and healthy and still shows a passion for his work, I find that regretfully it is in the best interests of the horse that I take this decision.

"He will enjoy a well-earned retirement as a trainer's hack and enjoy his new career teaching our youngsters how to jump."

Suny Bay was the highest-rated chaser in training at his peak and won the 1997 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup by 13 lengths under 11st 8lb.

"I feel very honoured to have owned a horse that has performed at the very highest level and would like to thank all the people involved in his career, without whom the success he has achieved would not have been possible," Cohen added.

"I, along with all his fans and supporters, feel honoured to have experienced his exploits and wish him a long and happy retirement."

Cohen believes Suny Bay's second in the 1998 Grand National was the gelding's finest hour.

He said: "He has been a wonderful servant and the high point was possibly his second to Earth Summit under 12st but to win the Hennessy with 11st 8lb was marvellous as well.

"He was the horse of a lifetime and was the highest-rated chaser in the land."

Suny Bay had struggled to find his form in recent years.

"I don't think he ever recovered from his second to Earth Summit on that heavy ground," Cohen added. "He won twice at Haydock after that but was never the same horse.

"The only chance he had was if his handicap mark was brought down and to do that we had to run him.

"When he ran at Chepstow this time he seemed to enjoy himself so we decided to give him another go at Warwick on Saturday but he was never happy."