Owners pay tribute as shock Cesarewitch winner Grumeti retired

Grumeti, a Grade 1 winner over hurdles but perhaps best known for causing a 50-1 shock in the Cesarewitch two years ago, has been retired.

In a statement posted on Twitter, owners the McNeill family said: "After having a chat with Alan [King] this morning we have today decided to retire Grumeti.

"He has been an absolutely fantastic horse to own and given us so many great days at Cheltenham, Aintree, Kempton and of course Newmarket.

"It seems age is catching up with him now and we have found a fantastic home nearby so we can still see him regularly as he starts his new chapter away from the racecourse."

The nine-year-old started out on the Flat for Michael Bell, but was bought by the McNeills for 100,000gns in 2011. He was a leading juvenile hurdler, winning Grade 2s at Cheltenham and Kempton and, although a beaten favourite behind Countrywide Flame in the Triumph Hurdle, got his Grade 1 win at Aintree a few weeks later.

He continued to prove a smart performer over jumps, including fences, without enjoying all that much success. Brought back on to the Flat in 2015 following a three-year absence, he won the Cesarewitch by a short head from Oriental Fox to provide jockey Adam Beschizza with the biggest payday of his career.

Despite that success, Grumeti won only once subsequently and last ran back at Newmarket earlier this month finishing fourth behind Rolling Maul.