3 minute read

Emma Lavelle’s hugely popular staying hurdler Paisley Park has been retired after finishing tenth in Thursday’s Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The popular four-time Grade 1 winner Paisley Park has graced the racecourse for the final time after trainer Emma Lavelle confirmed his retirement this afternoon.

A 14/1 chance to roll back the years at Prestbury Park on Thursday, the Andrew Gemmell-owned twelve-year-old hit his customary flat spot three hurdles from home, but unlike in previous years, he failed to finish with his usual gusto up the Cheltenham hill and could only manage to beat two home.

With eleven victories from an illustrious 31-race career, which amassed £729,426 in prize-money, Paisley Park owed his connections nothing and earned the hearts of racegoers all over the country with his longevity and racing style.

"It's the right thing to do. I've had so much pride in Paisley," said proud trainer Emma Lavelle.

She added: "He's taken us on a journey from beginning to end, both at home and on the racecourse, and he's been so special. He ran a lovely race again today, but the turbo is no longer working in the way it used to.

"He's sound, he's happy, and he'll think he's won again going around the parade ring now and getting all of that applause. He's just extraordinary.

Paisley Park provided Lavelle with her first Grade 1 success when landing the JLT Hurdle at Ascot in December 2018, a memory she'll always look back at fondly. "That first Grade 1 was extraordinary," she said.

"We'd knocked at the door in Grade 1s without winning one, and it was just a spectacular day. You could set your clock by him. You knew what would happen in a race - he'd hit his flat spot and you'd think he was out of the race, but then he'd hit the turbo and off he'd go. We have an awful lot to thank him for. We really do.

Asked what the future holds for Paisley Park, she replied: "Well, Andrew says he wants him in his garden, but we'll see that he's all right after today and then have a think about what we want to do with him.

"He's definitely the sort of horse who will want to do something, but he's also the sort of horse who will do anything. He's such a good ride and such a lovely boy, I'm sure he'll have a very good time of it wherever he goes."

The three-time Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle scorer enjoyed a trio of other top-level successes, with all three coming in the Long Walk Hurdle.