'Everyone has such a soft spot for him' - top-class grey Bristol De Mai retired

Bristol De Mai, the three-time winner of the Betfair Chase and holder of the record for widest margin Grade 1 win in Britain and Ireland, has been retired at the age of 12.

The popular grey raced in the two-tone green of owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede since he was bought from France as a three-year-old and amassed £900,768 in prize-money in a 42-race career – during which he won 12 times and achieved a peak Racing Post Rating of 179 for his 57-length demolition of Cue Card in the 2017 edition of the race he won again in 2018 and 2020.

Part-owner Simon Munir tweeted: "Team Double Green are announcing the retirement of Bristol De Mai. It has been a privilege to own him. Bristol has been a legend and retires 100 per cent sound and happy. Our thanks to Nigel, Sparky, Daryl and all at Grange Farm. It has been a wonderful journey that he has taken us all on!"

Bristol De Mai and Daryl Jacob landed the 2017 Betfair Chase by 57 lengthsCredit: Edward Whitaker

His stellar career in Britain was handled by Nigel Twiston-Davies and Bristol De Mai made an instant impact by winning the 2014 edition of the Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow on his first start.

The following season he added the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase at Sandown. In all he won five Grade 1s, ran in three Gold Cups – finishing third behind Al Boum Photo and Anibale Fly in 2019 – and ran in the Grand National won by Rachael Blackmore and Minella Times.

"He's been a star – he's just been a really brilliant horse. He's been a great friend to us and done very well over the years," his trainer said. "To win three Betfair Chases was some achievement – he was one of the best in his era. He was third in a Gold Cup, he started for us at three and he's retiring at 12. They've been nine lovely years. We're very proud of him."

Daryl Jacob was aboard for nine wins and 11 seconds from 36 outings together and Munir and Souede's retained rider added: "He's been there right from the start of Simon and Isaac's journey. He's a wonderful horse, he had a huge public following and was an absolute joy to ride. He'll be greatly missed. He was a phenomenal horse right from the start and to win three Betfair Chases is an incredible achievement.

"He had a huge following, everyone loves a grey horse, but he was very, very special and my family absolutely loved him. They used to come and watch him every time he ran and it's quite emotional for us all. He's well and will have a lovely retirement, that's the most important thing."

Speaking on behalf of Munir and Souede, racing manager Anthony Bromley said: "He was probably one of their first real big-name horses and he's kept producing year after year. They've had some brilliant horses, but not for that length of time. He's an exception.

"Most horses at the highest level you only get three seasons out of them really, but he did much more than that season after season and that gets you so attached, so it's a really emotional time. Everyone has such a soft spot for him.

"He loves his training, he loves going up that hill and he hasn't shown any signs of ageing. We were aiming him at the two Haydock handicaps, the Peter Marsh and Grand National Trial, and we were hoping he could win one and go out like that. The ground would have been right for him in the Peter Marsh, but it was frozen, and the longer distance on Saturday took its toll. We always wanted it to be Haydock where he bowed out. His heart's still willing, but his legs maybe aren't as fast as they once were. He's going out on his own terms.

"He's 12, we've had nine incredible seasons and it's been a great journey. He bolted up in the Finale on his first start and really went on from there. He was third in a Gold Cup, he never actually won there but he ran some really good races. He was second in a JLT just battling on, but when he found Haydock he just fell in love with the place. He ran in six Betfair Chases, winning three and finishing second in another and was fourth this year. We wanted one last go at Haydock. It didn't happen for him but it was always the plan that'd be his last run."

His last four wins came at his beloved Haydock, where he won six of his ten starts. The 2020 Betfair Chase was the last time he crossed the line in front, seeing off Clan Des Obeaux by two lengths, but he was also awarded the 2022 Grade 3 Grand National Trial after first past the post The Galloping Bear returned a post-race sample that showed the presence of a banned substance.

This year's running of the race was his last, finishing a distant 11th behind Quick Wave on Saturday. Retirement plans are yet to be confirmed with the owners exploring several options.

Read these next: 

Bristol De Mai: 'He always turns up and gives it his all as he wants to win' 

57 lengths: Bristol De Mai blows Grade 1 field apart to set up Triple Crown bid 

Festival subscription offer | 50% off three months 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.