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Noel Meade has confirmed that his brilliant hurdler Harchibald has run his last race.
The 10-year-old is perhaps most famous for his narrow defeat in the 2005 Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but he did pick up five Grade One events over timber during his career.
Second to Sizing Europe on his first start over fences at Punchestown in October, Harchibald was unplaced on his final outing on the all-weather at Dundalk last Friday.
"Harchibald is going to be retired and is not going to run again," said Meade.
"We made the decision on Monday as every time he has run recently, he has been coming back stiff behind and the ground is against him at the moment.
"It's been hard finding the right race for him and he was going to be getting on in years by the time the ground came right, so we've decided to call it a day with him.
"He's been a fantastic horse for us and a great horse to be associated with."
Harchibald enjoyed some good battles with the likes of Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca during his career and Meade thinks Harchibald could clash again with the latter in the show ring.
"He'll stay with us and maybe he'll end up competing with Brave Inca again at the Dublin Horse Show," he added.
The 10-year-old is perhaps most famous for his narrow defeat in the 2005 Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but he did pick up five Grade One events over timber during his career.
Second to Sizing Europe on his first start over fences at Punchestown in October, Harchibald was unplaced on his final outing on the all-weather at Dundalk last Friday.
"Harchibald is going to be retired and is not going to run again," said Meade.
"We made the decision on Monday as every time he has run recently, he has been coming back stiff behind and the ground is against him at the moment.
"It's been hard finding the right race for him and he was going to be getting on in years by the time the ground came right, so we've decided to call it a day with him.
"He's been a fantastic horse for us and a great horse to be associated with."
Harchibald enjoyed some good battles with the likes of Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca during his career and Meade thinks Harchibald could clash again with the latter in the show ring.
"He'll stay with us and maybe he'll end up competing with Brave Inca again at the Dublin Horse Show," he added.
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can't actually ever remember backing him, totally threw me as a betting opportunity/prospective , didn't have the balls to go through with it, always muddled up who I would back against him too, such was my respect for his enigmatic talent
shame ruk took off that youtube clip off champion hurdle 05
"and here comes harchibald- he's laughing at them"
"and here comes harchibald- he's laughing at them"
sad to hear this.
greatest hurdler never to win the champion?
i thought he was better than all the rest and could have been a multiple champion but for his wind problem.
greatest hurdler never to win the champion?
i thought he was better than all the rest and could have been a multiple champion but for his wind problem.
should of won a CH, maybe if he was at his prime when Katchit won it he would of beaten him,he met Hardy an B.Inca instead
His fighting fifth hurdle wins were also brilliant. Kempton was special too
With good ground he would of beaten Binocular at Ascot
His fighting fifth hurdle wins were also brilliant. Kempton was special too
With good ground he would of beaten Binocular at Ascot
A super horse and a real character . I was at the last hurdle at Cheltenham when he was "laughing at them" but sadly it was not to be . However other great memories like winning at Kempton and Newcastle . He'll he missed .
CailiniDeas8 01 Dec 15:08
The Christmas Hurdle at Kempton was astounding.
First race that came to my mind. BRILLIANT.
The only time I remember backing him was at Tipp in October one year and of course he flattered to deceive that day once again.
The Christmas Hurdle at Kempton was astounding.
First race that came to my mind. BRILLIANT.
The only time I remember backing him was at Tipp in October one year and of course he flattered to deceive that day once again.
FANTASTIS HORSE AN STILL A CHAMPION EVEN THO NEVER WON CHELT
Best of Luck Harchi ! You made all your mark on my memory anyways and played your part in some great racing days .
Superb racehorse and many golden memories.
A very long and happy retirement to you Harch :)
A very long and happy retirement to you Harch :)
had one of my biggest{winnin} bets in his first fightin fifth hurdle. super horse he was on his day
Tough horse to make money from though long term. Not one to follow was he?
7/1 in last years Christmas Hurdle was a fantastic price given his preference for flat tracks and good ground. one of my favourite horses, abundant class and speed, and a terrific jumper of hurdles.
Surely hardy should go the same way and be retired now too? I still get excited watching him thinking but hard for him to be competitive once the pace really quickens any more.
Was just thinking the exact same thing as he walked around the paddock yesterday.
I too was at the last flight at Cheltenham and counting my winnings but thats racing,has giving plenty of entertainment.
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