Racing: Gold Cup Champion Don Cossack Retires

Zeeshan Mehtab Published January 11, 2017 | 05:40 PM

LONDON, , (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jan, 2017 ) - Ryanair supremo Michael O'Leary suffered a second major blow to his jump racing ambitions this season as Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Don Cossack had to be retired because of a leg injury.

O'Leary -- whose Grand National winner Rule The World also had to be retired shortly after he won the world's most famous steeplechase last season -- had been hoping Don Cossack would be back in action in February and ready to defend his title for jump racing's 'blue riband' in March.

However, trainer Gordon Elliott said the 10-year-old gelding had suffered a setback on the gallops on Tuesday and the decision had been taken to call it a day. "We found that he had a bit of heat in his leg yesterday and we've made the decision to call time," said Elliott.

"I said all season that if he had any sort of setback at all we would not abuse him and retire him straight away. "He retires a champion."