Superstar Thistlecrack Retired By Connections

John and Heather Snook's five time winning gelding Thistlecrack has been retired at the rand old age of 13, with the Colin Tizzard trained animal being one of the most likeable horses in the sport.

It was revealed on Monday evening that the star jumper was to be retired after the Racing Post teamed up with Coral to produce the first episode of My Festival, which sees the Tizzard discuss their yard and all things leading up the to the festival in just two weeks.

Thistlecrack was a Cheltenham festival winner landing the Stayers Hurdle in 2016 and also in the same year went on to land the prestigious Boxing Day King George VI Chase at Kempton as a novice over the bigger obstacles.

Having also been a winner at the Grand National meeting the gelding has landed some of the best staying prizes possible over timber, also including the Grade One Long Walk Hurdle in 2015, with his talent over hurdles not being seen by many horses in the sport.

(Credit Racing Post) Colin Tizzard said: "Thistlecrack had two seasons where he was almost unbeatable. When he won the World [now Stayers'] Hurdle he absolutely trounced them. He went nine runs without getting beat.

"All these big races [he won] just reel off, he was a brilliant horse. He's still in the yard now but he won't run again. He'll have a lovely, happy retirement."

He retires having won 13 of his 25 career starts, acquiring £743,651 in prize-money and his wins in some of the best staying hurdle events on the jumps racing calendar will go down in history.