End of the road for The Worlds End as connections retire Grade 1-winning hurdler

Dual Grade 1-winning hurdler The Worlds End has been retired after trailing home last on his most recent appearance at Carlisle on Sunday.

The ten-year-old was in his pomp in his previous spell with trainer Tom George for whom he carried the colours of the McNeill family to win four of his first five races, culminating in a victory in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Haydock in 2017.

Then, after an unlucky fall when looking dangerous in the Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival that year, The Worlds End bounced back to Grade 1 success in the Sefton Novices' Hurdle at Aintree.

Watch The Worlds End win at Aintree

After a subsequent spell over fences when he had two wins, The Worlds End returned to hurdling in 2019 with a high-profile win in a Grade 2 at Wetherby and later topped that when landing the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot.

The Worlds End: on his way to landing the 2017 Grade 1 Doom Bar Sefton Novices' Hurdle at AintreeCredit: Mark Cranham

Switched to Olly Murphy from George a year ago after losing his form, The Worlds End has failed to recapture his old sparkle in five outings, although he finished third in two hunter chases.

Murphy said: "We’ve decided to retire The Worlds End as he’s kind of lost his sparkle, but the most important thing is he retires as a very sound and very happy horse. He’s obviously a horse that has been close to the McNeill family’s hearts and has given them some great days."

The decision was taken on Monday, a day after connections watched Sunday’s race on television at an owners' morning at Murphy's yard.

Murphy said: "I watched the race together with the owners and Ian Turner, who is their racing manager, and it was mentioned then that the end of the road was near.

"We had a further chat this morning and the decision was then taken to retire him; hopefully, he’ll have a nice life after racing.

"Unfortunately, he'd done all his winning before he joined me, but he’s been a pleasure to train."

In retirement, The Worlds End may well see a familiar face. Murphy said: "I think the girl who used to look after him at Tom George’s is going to take him, and I’m sure she’ll give him a happy retirement. He’ll be going full circle, if you like."

The Worlds End career details

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