'He's their pride and joy' - popular Santini starts new life in eventing

Last season's Grand National fourth Santini will not be having another crack at the world's most famous jumps race and has instead been switched to eventing, a discipline he is already thoroughly enjoying.

Santini was a top-class operator at his peak and posted a career-best effort in finishing second to Al Boum Photo in the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup when under the care of Nicky Henderson.

He moved to Devon for his final season under rules with Polly Gundry, who trained the ten-year-old to finish second in the Cotswold Chase and fourth in the Aintree showpiece.

"He's been with William [Fox-Pitt, Olympic medal-winning equestrian] for a few months," said Gundry. "Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes thought his result in the Grand National was fantastic but they feel as he's getting older, he might struggle to do the same again.

"He might have done, we'll never know, but I've always said he would make a nice event horse and they were keen to give the eventing a try. Suggesting that slightly backfired on me!

"He's thoroughly enjoyed the change, I went and watched him at Bovington the other day and because I came from an eventing background, it's not a huge shock to the horse."

Santini (silver) is narrowly denied by Al Boum Photo in the 2020 Gold CupCredit: Jonathan Grossick

Although there is a tinge of sadness, the decision by the Kelvin-Hughes is fully supported by Gundry, who recommended Fox-Pitt to the owners for his new career path.

"In some ways it's sad for me, but I do think it's very much the right thing for the horse and I'm grateful to say I had a bit of input as to where the horse went," she said.

"William has ridden thoroughbreds at the top level in events I was very keen to give him to someone who was top class. William is getting on really well with him.

"He could have another three, four or five years doing the eventing, whereas he'd only have one or two years more in racing."

Having a great fondness for Santini, the owners were keen to do right by their six-time winner and ultimately did not want to risk another tilt over the National fences.

"This is the best horse that Richard and Lizzie have bred and a particularly gentle horse," added Gundry. "He's their pride and joy, and if he was racing again they didn't want him to go back to the National."

Gundry looks back on her time training Santini with pride and although it did not end in the perfect way, she is both glad about what they achieved together and grateful for the chance she was given.

"It was a really brilliant opportunity for me," added Gundry. "I thoroughly enjoyed it and proved I can train a horse at the top level. That was a great luxury for me and I'll be forever grateful to Richard and Lizzie for allowing me to train Santini for a season.

"It was lovely to have a horse at Santini's level, but I have to say it'll be a lot less stressful for me this season! It's quite a responsibility and I'm proud of what we achieved.

"It would have been nice to have a win with him but it wasn't to be, but I think fourth in the Grand National is pretty mega."

Read these next:

'He's an absolute gent' - Santini's Grand National fourth delights Polly Gundry

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