The Package & Jamie Codd on their way to victory in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham in March© Photo Healy Racing
David Pipe's stable stalwart The Package has been retired after his run at Uttoxeter on Sunday.
The 12-year-old finished eighth in the John Smith's Cup, and now heads for a deserved retirement.
Running in the colours of the late David Johnson, The Package was a regular at the Cheltenham Festival and was a popular winner of this year's Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.
Pipe told his website: "Following his run at Uttoxeter on Sunday in the John Smith's Summer Cup, I can confirm that our 12-year-old Cheltenham Festival winner has run his last race and been retired.
"I have had him in the yard ever since I took out my licence and what an incredible servant he has been, winning five times including that incredible success in this year's Kim Muir under leading amateur Jamie Codd.
"He also won a Listed event at Cheltenham, a Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton and was placed in the three-mile handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival on three separate occasions, as well as finishing in the frame in the Hennessy Gold Cup behind subsequent Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth...not bad at all I am sure you would agree!
"His absence will leave a big hole to fill at Pond House, although he is fully deserving of a long and happy retirement and he signs off happy, healthy and sound."
