Bellator retired Talented but temperamental chaser Bellator has been retired, it was announced today.The decision was taken after the owners discussed the matter with trainer Venetia Williams and was prompted by his performance at Wincanton last Saturday when the nine-year-old gelding virtually took no part in the Highclere Group Of Companies John Bull Chase.After finally consenting to start well adrift of his rivals, Bellator eventually refused at the 11th fence when well tailed off.He had refused to race on two previous occasions, the most recent being in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day, a race in which he had finished third to First Gold and Florida Pearl 12 months earlier.'He`s been a marvellous horse but unfortunately the bulk of the period I`ve had him he has suffered a lot with a soft palate problem,' said Miss Williams.'He`s had a number of operations on his soft palate including this summer which sadly hasn`t helped him.'He`s been amazingly brave with his racing but we have to respect his wishes.'Owner Peter Richardson added: 'We have had tremendous pleasure and been extremely lucky to have owned such a marvellous horse.'He has had problems throughout his career from a fractured ankle to severe breathing problems recently and clearly he has decided enough is enough and in the best interest of the horse and the sport, retirement is simply the only solution.'Bellator ran 48 times winning or being placed in 19 of his races accumulating prize monies in excess of Stg£165,000.
