'Where would we be without him?' - popular chaser Seeyouatmidnight retired again

Sandy Thomson hailed Seeyouatmidnight as the horse that took him to places "he'd never dreamed of" after the trainer announced his popular stable star has been retired for a second and final time.

The 13-year-old won on his debut at Hexham in December 2013 and went on to land the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle at Haydock in 2014 and the 2016 Dipper Novices' Chase at Cheltenham, as well as finishing an honourable third in the Scottish Grand National that year.

Seeyouatmidnight was initially retired in December 2018, but returned to action in February 2020, scoring at Carlisle on his second outing back. He has run twice this season and bounced back from being pulled up at Haydock by claiming a brave victory in the Veterans' Chase Series Final at Sandown in January on what proved to be his final start.

"He's grand but picked up a little injury, so we've decided that's it," Thomson told the Racing Post. "He means everything to me, where would we be without him? He set us on the way and has been an absolute star.

"We've been to places we'd never dreamed of with him and the consequence of that is having some of the wonderful days we've had this season with Yorkhill and others."

Sandy and Quona Thomson with their pride and joy SeeyouatmidnightCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Owned by Thomson's wife Quona for most of his career, Seeyouatmidnight won nine races from 21 starts under rules and £206,429 in prize-money.

The trainer pinpointed his emotional Sandown victory as his career highlight and believes the resurgence of fellow stars Yorkhill and Scottish Grand National second Dingo Dollar would not have happened without his achievements.

He added: "Sandown was probably the best day. He'd been written off and to get him back to win in that way was wonderful, especially as it turned out to be his last run. We only hoped he would produce a performance like he did, it's a day that will never be forgotten.

Sandy Thomson roars his stable star home at SandownCredit: Edward Whitaker

"It was easier to get the grand old chasers back to their best when we only had around 20 horses in the yard, but now we're near 50 and he still managed to do that. It's brilliant – horses like Seeyouatmidnight are what you want."

There are no immediate plans for Seeyouatmidnight's next career path, but he could remain at the trainer's Scottish Borders yard as a trusty companion.

He added: "We're not sure about what he'll do next. He needs to be active and not in the field, so he might become the trainer's hack."

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