Solerina Bows Out Prolific-winning mare Solerina has been retired to the paddocks by the Bowe family.The nine-year-old has a huge following in Ireland after a massively successful career which saw her notch 19 wins over hurdles, as well as three victories on the Flat.Solerina's career was a family affair as she was trained by James Bowe, owned by his son John and bred by his other son Michael, who is also his assistant trainer.'She has been retired ? it wasn't that she wasn't enjoying her racing any more but we weren't enjoying watching her,' explained Michael.'We could have kept her in training for another season as she's perfectly healthy and in tremendous form but we think she deserves her retirement now.'Solerina won five Grade One races during her career, claiming the scalps of dual Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace, leading Arkle contender Accordion Etoile and current Cheltenham favourite Brave Inca along the way.The daughter of Toulon, who finished fourth in the 2004 Stayers' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, was last seen in action when beating stablemate Florida Coast in the Cedar Building Hurdle at Naas in January.'She's done it all and we were reluctant to run her again as we wanted to bow out on a high and she had won last time at Naas,' Bowe added.'She's done it all and has been a fantastic horse to have.'She will go to the paddocks now but I've no idea who we will send her to yet - she's pretty choosy!'We've always bred horses here and we don't want to risk losing her pedigree.'Solerina amassed a total of #466,471 in 40 starts under both codes.? PA Sport
