Breeder Malse pays tribute to multiple Grade 1 hero

Christophe Malse, the breeder of multiple Grade 1 hero Sprinter Sacre, paid tribute to the popular chaser after Nicky Henderson revealed on Sunday that the ten-year-old had been retired from racing.

Malse bred Sprinter Sacre out of the winning Bayolidaan mare Fatima III and has watched the son of Network throughout his time on the track.

He said: “He’s a cracking horse and, while it is quite emotional for me that he won’t be running again, the people around him have made a wise decision.

“The great thing is that he goes out on the back of those fantastic victories at Cheltenham and Sandown. He got me started and he really was the standard-bearer for AQPS breeding.

“When he was right he didn’t just win his races, he really ran right away from the opposition. The times I travelled to Cheltenham to see him run are among the happiest memories of my life. The crowds and the noise were unbelievable and, even those that weren’t supporting him were forced to applaud because they knew they’d seen a champion.”

Despite Sprinter Sacre’s glorious career coming to an end, the story could be added to in the shape of his siblings.

Malse added: “We will have to follow his sister, Divine Sacre, who is in training with Fabrice Foucher and is due to make her debut very shortly.

“I also have his brother, Flinteur Sacre, but he will be staying with me for now.”