Denman Retires

Today it was announced that one of the finest steeplechasers of this or any other generation has been retired after a small training setback. Denman, aged 11, was being prepared for a tilt at the Lexus Chase over Christmas, before heading to Cheltenham for the Gold Cup. However, he has suffered a small injury which would have ruled him out until next season and connections have taken the decision to retire him.

The Tank, as he was affectionately known, will probably be best remembered for his three heroic Hennessy efforts, twice in victory, once in valiant defeat, but all three under top weight, and his 4 brilliant Gold Cup efforts, winning in 2008 and placing 2nd in 2009, 2010 and 2011. At his very best he was a horse that bludgeoned his rivals into submission with relentless galloping and slick jumping that had everything else begging for mercy. 

History may suggest that his epic Gold Cup victory in 2008, with a below par Kauto Star back in 2nd, was his peak. There can be no doubt that performance took a lot out of the horse. I have thought it ironic that then part-owner Harry Findlay proclaimed that Denman had broken Kauto Star's heart, when it was in fact the exact opposite, he had almost broken his own. Kauto Star returned to reclaim his Gold Cup crown in 2009 with a brave Denman back in 2nd after treatment for a fibrillating heart. However, the next season he returned to Newbury for the Hennessy Gold Cup and joined the select list of dual winners of the race. One of the finest weight carrying performances of all time, he beat What A Friend into 2nd, conceding 22lbs to a horse that would go on to win 2 Grade 1 prizes later that season. An epic performance and one so characteristic of the great horse.

His career was defined by his great rivalry with stablemate Kauto Star. A friend of mine who was just getting into racing last season asked why all the attention pre Gold Cup was on Denman and Kauto Star, rather than the reigning champion Imperial Commander. He is a big tennis fan and I suggested it was something like Federer and Nadal. Imperial Commander was simply an imposter on their dual domination of the staying division for so many years. And with Kauto Star still going strong their time at the very top might not be over just yet. 

Horse racing fans will forever debate the relative merits of these two great horses but that is an argument for another day. We will never see Denman in a race again and it is appropriate to relive what I think is his finest display, the Hennessy Gold Cup 2009. That link will give you ample opportunity to enjoy many of his other fine performances.

Here is Paul Nicholls speaking to At The Races after the announcement:

A legend will never grace the turf again but the memories that he has given us will never be forgotten.