Lucinda Russell described the decision to retire Corach Rambler, her 2023 Grand National winner, as one “laced with sadness” yet “joyous” last week and the gelding’s many fans and backers knew exactly what she meant. Cheaply bought and owned by a syndicate who paid £3,000 a share, Corach Rambler’s rise through the chasing ranks to win twice at the Cheltenham festival and then land jumping’s most famous and valuable race was an unalloyed feelgood story that also seems to have concluded a chapter or two too soon.
Corach Rambler was, after all, the first British-trained horse across the line when he finished third in the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. At 10 years of age, he is, officially at least, qualified for “veterans” events, but reaching double figures has not prevented stars including Sprinter Sacre, Cue Card, Silviniaco Conti, Faugheen and Un De Sceaux from adding Grade One wins to their record in the past decade. Corach Rambler’s final race, when he was pulled up in the Punchestown Gold Cup last month, was his 15th start over fences.
