THE GREY MONK RETIRED The Grey Monk, one of the best and most popular jumpers trained in the north in recent years and the winner of 14 of his 30 races and nearly #150,000 in prize money, has been retired. Now a 13-year-old, he made his final appearance last Saturday at Warwick where he finished unplaced behind Frosty Canyon in a Ladbroke Casinos Handicap Hurdle qualifier. He was originally bought and trained by the late Gordon Richards whose son Nicky took over the reins at the famous Greystoke stable and he said: 'The old lad ran well fist time out this season at Newcastle. 'So we thought we would go down to Warwick with him and see how he went there, but he did not seem to be enjoying himself at all so his owner Mr Duff (Alistair) and I decided it was time to retire him - they can`t go on forever.' Richards went on: 'He was a smashing servant to the stable and a real good horse - I know he won 50 per cent of his races, but it was a shame he never won a really big one which he always threatened to do. 'If my memory serves me right he was favourite or nearly favourite for a couple of Cheltenham Gold Cups, he won a Tommy Whittle at Haydock and finished second in a Hennessy and he might have won if we had not given Tony (Dobbin) the wrong instructions.' The trainer believes that one of his very best efforts was in defeat when third under 12st in the Irish Grand National won by Mudahim four years ago. He said: 'Papillon was fourth that day and our fellow gave him 24lb, and that was on ground that he really hated. 'That was some run, it was his first season after his novice campaign when he was unbeaten in six races and showed exceptional promise. 'Father bought him as a three or four-year-old and he loved him, he brought him along nice and steady like he did with all his chasers, trying to get him to the top. 'He was never easy to train as he was injury prone, he had problems with his knees and joints but when he was right he was something else.' The Grey Monk will leave Greystoke in about three weeks, and Richards went on: 'It has been a privilege to train him and the main thing is that he is in one piece and will be going to a good home. 'Mr Duff`s daughter-in-law Isabel will look after him and he will enjoy himself hacking round the fells and maybe having a day out with the hounds now and again.'
