'He was my absolute hero' - Lizzie Kelly leads tributes as Agrapart retired

Former jockey Lizzie Kelly paid tribute to her "absolute hero" Agrapart after the 11-year-old was retired by connections on Thursday evening.

Agrapart won five times from 33 starts over hurdles, including when landing the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle in 2017 and Cleeve Hurdle the following year under Kelly, who partnered him 17 times from 2015.

"I couldn't be prouder to have been associated with him," said Kelly, who was also on board when he won the Betfair Hurdle in 2016. "He was my absolute hero and we shared some days I'll never forget."

Watch Agrapart win the 2016 Betfair Hurdle

Agrapart ran four times in France for Nick Williams before making his British debut at Worcester in October 2015, finishing fifth. His first success came in a novice hurdle at Aintree that December.

He finished third behind Yorkhill in the Tolworth Hurdle one month later before landing the Betfair Hurdle by 11 lengths from Starchitect. After two runs at Auteuil, he won his first start in open Graded company the following season when landing the Relkeel Hurdle by a head at 16-1.

Agrapart could only manage ninth in the 2017 Stayers' Hurdle but bounced back at the track to win the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle the following year, powering three lengths clear of Wholestone.

"After a fantastic career, the decision has been made to retire Agrapart, trainer Jane Williams announced on Twitter. "He’s been a star to train and a warrior on the track, winning the Betfair Hurdle, Cleeve and Relkeel. We wish him the happiest of retirements."

The 11-year-old earned £316,089 in prize-money from 40 starts under rules, which included two wins from seven races on the Flat.

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