Iconic racehorse and fan favourite Paisley Park retires at Cheltenham as fans hail ‘true legend’

PAISLEY PARK is retiring following his Cheltenham outing today, it has been announced.

The 12-year-old ran in today’s 3.30pm Stayers Hurdle.

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Paisley Park is retiring from racing following today’s Cheltenham runCredit: PA

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Paisley Park lagged back in the field

Owned by Andrew Gemmell and trained by Emma Lavelle, Paisley was running it’s 30th hurdle race and sixth appearance at Cheltenham.

However, the win went to Teahupoo, with Paisley distant from the front of the pack.

Prior to the race, he had collected a cool £728,854 in career earnings.

Of this, £545,373 came in winnings with Paisley winning 11 races and having 13 places throughout his career.

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But after today’s three mile hurdle race being ridden by jockey Tom Bellamy, he is going to be retiring.

On the retirement, West Ham fan Gemmell told ITV Racing: “We’ll be retiring him, he had a great race, great career but it’s his time to bid farewell. He’s been marvellous.”

Meanwhile, Lavelle said: “It was the right thing to do. I have so much pride in Paisley.

“He’s taken us on a journey from beginning to end both at home and on the race course.

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“He’s been so special and he ran a lovely race today again today but the turbo is just no longer working in the way that it used to.

“It’s the right thing to do, he’s sound he’s happy, he’s going to be thinking he’s won again going round there with all the applause, he’s just extraordinary.”

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Asked for one standout day from Paisley, Gemmell said: “The one I remember most was the one at Haydock when he was miles off but he came and won that race, that was unbelievable before he came to Cheltenham.

“And I had to convince the trainer that perhaps we should be coming to Ascot and to Cheltenham and I was counting down the days.”

Fans paid tribute on social media, with one saying: “Happy Retirement to the wonderful Paisley Park what a career he has had. Glad he has retired happy and healthy. ❤”

A second said: “Happy retirement Paisley Park. What a horse. 🐎💨.”

A third said: “Happy retirement Paisley Park ❤️”.

The Cheltenham crowd gave a standing ovation to Paisley Park as it went around the grounds following the race.

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