The superstar mare Lady Buttons has been retired due to suffering an injury in the build up to the upcoming national hunt season.
Her trainer Phil Kirby labelled her “our horse of a lifetime” as he informed the racing world that his stable star will never race again.
The 10 year olds has been a superb yardstick for Kirby over both hurdles and fences throughout her career, landing some superb races at especially Doncaster which was by far her favourite track.
She landed back to back renewals of the Grade Two Lancaster Rose mares Hurdle, whilst also Listed Mares Chase at Town Moor, but overall had raced six times at the track and won five of her races.
Arguably last season was the best in her career running five times and going on to win three times including her second Lancaster Rose Mares Hurdle.
Her final appearance during her career came at the Cheltenham festival where she finished seventh of nine runners in the Grade One Mares Hurdle and although it was not her best performance it did show the company she could race with.
Smashing mare... enjoy your retirement, Lady Buttons! @PKirbyRacing pic.twitter.com/nZbBxOkLCL
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 22, 2020
Phil Kirby gave an emotional statement on Twitter, the trainer said: “It’s been a significant morning here at the yard, and time has been called on a wonderful career. Our horse of a lifetime, and the people’s favourite, Lady Buttons, has been retired.
“Keith, Jayne (Sivills, owners) and all of us here would like to thank you so much for sharing her incredible racing story with us. What a legend she has been, and the decision to retire her this morning was typical of her devoted owners – putting the mare first.
“A small setback meant she would have been on the sidelines until Christmas, and a spring return would not have been in Buttons’ best interests.
“With a few months now to chill, her second career begins in the spring and we’re delighted that she will remain with us to become a broodmare.
“We can’t wait to see her in the fields with a foal by her side – one chapter is over but the next one begins.”
She landed £300,000 in winnings during her elusive career that saw her land 15 of her 33 races.