Sprinter Sacre was superb and the day he came to Punchestown was special

Sprinter Sacre has received many worthy tributes following the announcement of his retirement last weekend. The brilliant chaser was impressive in appearance and performance and his presence at the 2013 Punchestown festival, the only time he raced in Ireland, created quite a stir.

The date was April 23, the same date that the then seven-year-old had been foaled, and he proved a huge draw, with racegoers clamouring for a good position around the parade ring, before and after the race, to get a close look at a horse most of them had seen only on TV.

And he got a rousing reception after coming home five and a half lengths clear of Sizing Europe in the Boylesports.com Champion Chase. Barry Geraghty said he had never experienced a post-race reception like it.