Champion Hors La Loi retired
James Fanshawe’s charge recorded his greatest success in the Smurfit-sponsored Champion Hurdle in 2002 but veterinary examinations revealed that problems the gelding has suffered over the years, in particular in his back, have been getting steadily worse.
Owner Paul Green took the decision to retire him after David Ellis of Greenwood, Ellis & Partners in Newmarket and Professor Jeffcott of Cambridge University Veterinary School both considered that the horse had been carrying his injuries for some time.
Both were of the opinion that the horse should not race again.
“Obviously we had a fantastic year in 2002 winning the Axminster Carpets Kingwell Hurdle followed by an emphatic win in the Champion Hurdle,” said Fanshawe.
“He looked to be running a big race in the 2002 Bula Hurdle when falling two-out and never seemed to fully regain his sparkle after that. His recent racecourse disappointments can be attributed to the findings of Mr Ellis and Professor Jeffcott.”
Hors La Loi III also landed the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at the Festival in 1999 when in the care of Martin Pipe and Green paid tribute to what he described as a “wonderful horse to own.”
“You cannot ask any more of a horse than to win at the Cheltenham Festival and he did it on two occasions,” he said. “The Champion Hurdle in 2002 was a very special day for all connected with him.
“It was our intention to go novice chasing this year but his condition is such that this would unnecessarily endanger the horse and jockey. Retirement is the only option and he will have a good home.”
Hors La Loi III, who won a total of six other hurdle races, began his career under the care of Francois Doumen before moving to Pipe and ultimately to Fanshawe.
He beat Marble Arch by three lengths in the Champion Hurdle, a victory for which he perhaps did not get the credit he deserved as it was overshadowed by the fatal fall of Valiramix along with the pulling up of the great Istabraq after the second flight.
