'People took him into their hearts' - Jeremy Scott pays tribute as Dashel Drasher is retired and is set to parade on Friday

This jump season will go on without one of its most beloved regulars after Jeremy Scott announced the retirement of Dashel Drasher on Wednesday. 

The strapping bay made a winning debut at Wincanton in 2018 and went on to enjoy a remarkable career over hurdles and fences, with victory in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase in 2021 the highlight of his 12 wins.

He finished second in the 2023 Stayers' Hurdle at 40-1 and enjoyed a fitting final victory when outgunning Paisley Park in the 2023 Long Distance Hurdle as a ten-year-old. In his final campaign last season he performed valiantly, carrying huge weights in competitive veterans' chases.

The lovable 12-year-old will be on parade alongside the Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace at Scott's Holworthy Farm in Somerset on Friday afternoon, when it is opened to the public for National Racehorse Week.

Dashel Drasher (yellow cap): finished second in the Stayers' Hurdle in 2023Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He was a brilliant horse for us," the trainer said. "We've had some wonderful days with him and people took him into their hearts. He may not have been the best horse in the world, but he was one of the most popular.

"We'd get lots of cards and messages when he was racing. I think we were at Ascot and some guy came up to us and said he'd come all of the way up from Newquay to watch him because he was their favourite horse. It's lovely to have that and it's why we do this game."

Dashel Drasher was known for his determination and grit on the racecourse, and those qualities are also still on show at home, as they attempt to wean him out of being a racehorse.

"It's why the owners had such a dilemma on whether to stop with him because he loved training and racing and the routine," Scott said. "He just thoroughly enjoyed it, which makes it difficult to find a replacement role where he feels important and can basically run away and enjoy himself. We'll find a good home for him.

"He's back in being ridden now because all of the others came in and he ended up just standing at the gate wanting to do some work. It's a real shame for the yard because he was a lovely horse who took us to some wonderful places, but I'm glad he's finished fully sound and can go off and enjoy another job."

Golden Ace: won the Champion Hurdle last seasonCredit: Getty Images

Dashel Drasher earned more than £450,000 in a 37-race career, reaching a peak BHA rating of 162. Thankfully, Scott has another stable star to carry him through the season and he reported last season's Champion Hurdle heroine Golden Ace to have returned to work in excellent shape.

"She's very well," he said. "She's summered really well. Some of them didn't because it was so hot, dry and full of flies, but she looks a picture. We've just started cantering with her and we'll look for a nice fun campaign again.

"She exceeded what we thought she'd do, but I thought she ran really well in Ireland behind State Man, so we're not a million miles away, but we were slightly gifted the Champion Hurdle. Hopefully all of them will be back and we have lots of young ones to take on.

"I think her owner will take quite a lot of persuading not to have another go at the Champion Hurdle. She comes to herself in the spring, she's not one you can push, so we'll just see how we get on. We struggle to get her fully right before Christmas, she just doesn't seem to come to hand, and we'd want softer ground too, so we'll see."

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Popular dual Coral Cup winner Langer Dan retired after underlying heart condition is found 

'He has the courage to match his class' - Gordon Elliott hails Galvin as Grade 1-winning chaser is retired 

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