Ballabriggs retired Donald McCain has confirmed that 2011 John Smith's Grand National winner Ballabriggs has been retired. The trainer spoke with owner Trevor Hemmings before making the decision after the 12-year-old pulled up in this year's renewal of the Aintree marathon, won by Auroras Encore. He also finished sixth in the 2012 race. Writing in his exclusive Betfair column McCain explained: "He didn't sparkle in last week's renewal and it was decided that he had earned his retirement - he doesn't owe anyone anything - and he will be off to the Isle Of Man to join another of Mr Hemmings' recently retired stars Cloudy Lane. "As my first Grand National winner I will always be grateful for what he has done for the yard and that afternoon at Aintree will never be forgotten. He also won at the Cheltenham Festival in 2010 and he's been a brilliant horse for the stable. "Both he and Cloudy Lane will be sorely missed here but it's great that they are retiring fit and healthy and we will now have to crack on and try and find horses to fill their shoes."
