Willie Mullins and Hurricane Fly© Photo Healy Racing
Willie Mullins has saluted the retiring Hurricane Fly as a "legend of a horse".
The champion trainer saddled his brilliant 11-year-old to a record 22 Grade One wins during a career spanning seven years in Ireland.
"He's come back into training and he's really well in himself, but having had a chat with the owners, they were keen enough to retire him while he is still in great order. What can you say about him? He's a legend of a horse. This day was always going to come and it's great that we're doing it on our terms, rather than due to an injury or something like that," Mullins told Press Association Sport.
"He's a horse who has everything - speed and stamina and an incredible bravery and aggressiveness. I think those are the key factors."
He added: "We've not decided what he's going to do yet. He's still here and was ridden out as normal this morning. He's still a handful and I've no doubt he's a rising 12-year-old with the mind of a six-year-old.
"He's going to the Curragh to parade on Irish Champions Weekend and he's also going to Merano in Italy to parade there at their big Gold Cup meeting in September.
"He's also just been invited to go to the big meeting at Milan in October, without them knowing he was going to be retired.
"We were invited last year but decided not to, but he can do that now."
Hurricane Fly had many memorable battles with Jezki over the years, with the latter's trainer Jessica Harrington paying tribute to an "amazing" horse.
Harrington said: "Personally, I'm delighted he's retiring safe and sound and in one piece.
"He was an amazing horse to win all those races. That's testament to the horse's longevity, but also Willie's training of him.
"We thought last season, with Jezki having beaten him twice (Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and Racing Post Champion Hurdle at Punchestown), that he (Hurricane Fly) would be kicked out of the way.
"It obviously didn't work out that way as I had to wait until Punchestown (Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle) before we could beat him again.
"He was a great flag-bearer for Irish racing."
