Cheltenham Festival winner Chianti Classico retired

Kim Bailey has announced the retirement of his 2024 Cheltenham Festival winner Chianti Classico

The eight-year-old picked up a serious injury when running at Cheltenham in December and at the time it was touch and go whether he would race again.

He had been in pre-training with Enda Bolger in Ireland but a setback has prompted his retirement.

Cheltenham Festival Winner Chianti Classico Retired After Setback

“Sadly, I have to announce that we’ve decided to retire Chianti Classico,” the trainer told www.kimbaileyracing.com.

“We all had a great visit to Enda Bolger’s stables last week to see him cantering and although everything looked to be going in the right direction, CC took a backward step earlier this week, and we don’t need backward steps.

“The welfare of the horse is the most important thing, and, on that note, we’ve decided the most sensible thing to do is retire him and let him have a wonderful life away from racing, which I’m sure he will.”

Of Chianti Classico’s racing career, Bailey added: “Obviously, the highlight of his career for us was winning the Ultima Chase at Cheltenham in 2024. How can we ever forget that unbelievable moment?

“But in many respects, one of his greatest runs for me was when he won the Sodexo Gold Cup at Ascot last November, carrying top weight. We were all there at Ascot that day, and as we all know, (owner) Francis Brooke is ‘His Majesty’s representative of Ascot’, and to all stand and watch CC win from his balcony was a moment of sheer joy for all of us.

The welfare of the horse is the most important thing, and, on that note, we’ve decided the most sensible thing to do is retire him and let him have a wonderful life away from racing

Kim Bailey on Chianti Classico

“Whatever happens in horses’ lives, we always want the best for them. And the decision has not been taken lightly, but it’s the right thing for the horse.”

Broadway Boy Also Set for Retirement After Grand National Fall

Another popular chaser who has probably run his last race is Broadway Boy with joint-trainer Willy Twiston-Davies

telling Sky Sports Racing the injury he sustained when falling in the Grand National is likely too serious to see him return to action.

He said: “He’s very well and happy in the field but it looks like he’ll have to be retired.

“He’ll always have a home for life here, he’s very happy, but I don’t think he’ll be able to run again.”