'I'm going to lose a big part of my life' - Philippa Cooper left emotional after retiring Sweet William

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Owner-breeder Philippa Cooper admitted she was losing "a big part of my life" after dual Doncaster Cup winner Sweet William was retired with a joint injury.

Sweet William, named after Cooper's son, established himself as one of Britain's leading stayers and was remarkably consistent, finishing outside the first three only once in his 24-race career for trainers John and Thady Gosden.

"He got some filling in his joints," said Cooper. "He was one-tenth lame when they looked at him last week, and they did an ultrasound, and it was absolutely right to retire him. 

"I was terribly upset last week. I didn't even tell my son, after whom he is named, because I didn't want to cry, but I feel much better about it now.

"I'm going to lose a big part of my life. He's the horse of my life, I love him to bits and he'll have the best retirement with the other thugs I've got in retirement, and it will be interesting where he fits in the pecking order."

Philippa Cooper: 'Every time I went racing with him was a highlight'Credit: Laura Green

The seven-year-old won seven races, including back-to-back Group 2 Doncaster Cups in 2024 and 2025, with Robert Havlin partnering him on every start.

"He's an old warrior now," said Cooper. "He was going to be retired at the end of the year anyway. We're missing another Doncaster Cup, but he's only really missing that one race as he wouldn't have gone to Goodwood.

"He's such a character and Rab was amazing on him; it was a wonderful partnership between them."

Sweet William's last victory came in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot this seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Sweet William contested the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot on three occasions, with his best effort coming when a six-length third behind Kyprios in 2024, and for Cooper, every day spent at the racecourse with him was a joy.

She said: "Every time I went racing with him was a highlight. I was always so proud of him. He took me to the best races and courses for four years, which is a very long time for a Flat horse.

"He will have a bit of a fan club that will want to come and visit him in his retirement."

Sweet William had three runs this season, winning the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes at Ascot on his reappearance before finishing a neck second to Dubai Future in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown. 

On what proved to be his final start, Sweet William finished just over nine lengths behind Scandinavia in the Gold Cup last month.

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