Look, there comes a time in a horses life where things just turn a little sour. I think we may have seen one of those days today. When Cheltenham comes calling, The Tiger will almost always pick up the phone. Today, and even this year told a different story.
When we think about Tiger Roll what is the first thing to come to mind? His incredible heart for such a small horse? His ability to scale some of the toughest fences and make it almost effortless? Making Cheltenham almost like his fortress, time after time the Tiger has lifted racetracks all over Ireland and the UK.
For me it is how he grips the attention of every single person in Ireland. I was there the day in Navan on the 16th February 2020, torrential rain and there was thousands of us standing at the weigh room trying to get cover waiting for the Tiger. And we all looked like idiots standing out in it just to get a good picture of him!
But that’s just it, he is the peoples favourite horse. What we saw today was not a horse pulling up because he was unfit, a fit Tiger Roll would have obliterated the field. What we saw was just a horse not wanting to go on.
It has been happening for quiet some time now. He has not won since his impressive 2019 National defence. I think his winning days may be over I am very sad to say.
His love of the sport does not seem to be there. It is such a shame that he more than likely will not go out on the back of a win. But I think the plug needs to be pulled at this stage.
If it was up to me, I would retire him on the spot. He owes nobody anything. Why would anyone even consider risking harm to a horse who is one of the worlds favourite living creatures? God forbid, next time he runs and potentially gets injured beyond repair (which could very well happen). What then?
For a horse who could be retired on the spot they are deciding to have one last crack. At what? He has won everything he possibly can and done it twice.
As a racing fan I would much rather see one of my all time favourite horses being retired fit, healthy and just not having the love of the game anymore, instead of seeing his body potentially engulfed in green-screens.
It doesn’t take a genius to realise racing a horse when the love of racing is gone is a dangerous game. Do not risk one of Racings legends for “one more crack.”
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