Mullins reveals retirement of gallant 2015 Melbourne Cup runner-up Max Dynamite

Willie Mullins has revealed that Max Dynamite, the Rich and Susannah Ricci-owned globetrotting stalwart who was twice placed in the Melbourne Cup, has been retired aged ten.

In a 44-race career, Max Dynamite won just five times and had only a maiden hurdle success to his name over jumps. However, he was often carried out on his shield, and earned more than €1.1m in prize money.

On his debut for Mullins in November 2014, he dotted up in a Thurles maiden hurdle under Ruby Walsh. A year later, having finished second to Quick Jack in the Galway Hurdle, he enjoyed his finest hour when running out a decisive winner of the Lonsdale Cup at York under Frankie Dettori.

On Max Dynamite's next start, Dettori was again in the saddle at Flemington when the partnership was denied just half a length by the Michelle Payne-ridden Prince Of Penzance in the Melbourne Cup, having challenged wide and late.

Two years later, he finished third at Flemington behind Rekindling, with Johannes Vermeer in second to ensure an historic clean sweep of the places for Irish horses.

Max Dynamite (far right) completes an Irish 1-2-3 in the 2017 Melbourne Cup, with Rekindling winning from Johannes VermeerCredit: John Grossick Racing Photography

"Jumping was never really his forte," Ruby Walsh said of Max Dynamite when speaking on Racing TV.

"He was a way better Flat horse. Obviously he won a Lonsdale, and he was maybe a little unlucky in a Melbourne Cup when Michelle Payne got a great run down the inside and he got caught in a little bit of a pocket. He served his owners really well and I'm sure he'll enjoy his retirement."

Max Dynamite was brilliantly versatile, finishing second in the 2015 Northumberland Plate and taking third in last year's Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot and in the Doncaster Cup behind Stradivarius, having been second to stablemate Thomas Hobson a year earlier. He also contested Group 1s in France, Britain and Hong Kong.

This year, he struggled to reproduce his best form in three starts over fences before racing was stopped due to the coronavirus pandemic, and outings on the Flat and over hurdles more recently failed to reignite his spark.

Making the announcement on Twitter, Mullins said: "Max Dynamite has been retired. The international traveller in our yard, topped by his second and third in the Melbourne Cup. He has been a pleasure to train & earned over £1m for Susannah & Rich Ricci. Special thanks to Jimmy Kelly for his expert care over the last seven years."

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