'I'm down to one horse' - Middleton stalwart Golan Fortune retired

Permit trainer Phil Middleton has had his string reduced to just one after waving talented chaser and hurdler Golan Fortune into a happy retirement after a heart problem resurfaced at Stratford at the end of last month.

Officially rated 142 at his peak, Golan Fortune joined Middleton at his base in Buckinghamshire in 2017, winning five of his 24 races under rules and amassing £91,971 in prize-money.

His greatest triumph came in a Listed handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in November 2019 and he was also placed in a Grade 3 handicap hurdle at Sandown in 2018 and a Grade 2 novice chase at Warwick in January. He had finished fourth in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices' Chase the previous month.

Golan Fortune was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat when pulled up in the bet365 Gold Cup in April and, despite being given a clean bill of health by vets to continue racing, he suffered the same issue on his 24th and final start at Stratford last month.

Watch Golan Fortune's finest hour at Cheltenham

"I've found him a fabulous, five-star home and he's going to do a bit of hunting and cross-country," said Middleton. "I loved him at the sales, he trotted like he was on springs and we got him for £42,000.

"He's won a lot more than that in prize-money but I always felt there was a big handicap in him – he was up to winning a Midlands National or a Whitbread. He looked a million dollars and I broke down in tears when they came to collect him."

Recalling his fondest memory, Middleton added: "I always wanted a winner of any description at Cheltenham. On that morning I had a horse who had got tangled up in the fence at home and by the time I'd cleaned him up and sorted him out it was too late to go. We ended up watching it on the telly but it was a great thrill."

Exitas: former stable star of Phil Middleton's yardCredit: Mark Cranham

The end of Golan Fortune's career on track comes a few months after former stablemate Exitas was retired from competitive action after winning back-to-back races this summer.

"I'm down to one horse now," said Middleton. "I've got Exitas a home for life and they love him to bits. I've rehomed four or five and get texts every day that warm my heart. I think you have to retire them while they can do another job. That's my way of thinking."

Asked if he planned to continue to train, Middleton said: "I'm 70 and had a fall a few weeks ago, but I'm riding out again now and as each day goes by I think I'm not ready to retire. I paid 62,000gns for Dirham Emirati at the sales [in August] and I'll probably end up getting another one as well."

Read these next:

Melling Chase winner Fakir D'Oudairies out for more Graded glory at Clonmel

Henry de Bromhead 'very happy' with Put The Kettle On ahead of Politliogue clash

Upping The Ante star Gavin Lynch joins the Racing Post roster for a weekly Saturday column throughout the jumps season. He'll offer a guide to the weekend action, highlight the horses and races to watch and share his punting wisdom. Read it every Saturday in the Racing Post or online from 4pm every Friday, exclusively for Members' Club subscribers. Sign up to Members' Club here for more top jumps season insight.