Cheltenham Festival 2021’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Appreciate It has been retired at the age of 12.
The veteran was just the second seven-year-old to win the race this century when storming clear five season ago. He won by a staggering 24 lengths, threatening to go right to the very top.
However, injuries ensured that was his last race for a year, after which he failed to down Honeysuckle in the the 2022 Champion Hurdle. He subsequently raced exclusively over fences.
He never reached the grandest heights over the bigger obstacles. Despite his broad build, Appreciate It’s best day remained the 2021 Supreme.
Nevertheless, there were successes once he went chasing. He twice won the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles, and once beat Galopin Des Champs when second in the 2023 John Durkan. The dual Gold Cup hero was back in third.
“He loved his racing” – Patrick Mullins
Appreciate It was given a weight for the Grand National on Tuesday. He was one of 76 entries for the big race after he was brought down in the 2025 edition.
However, the curtain has been drawn on his career regardless after the 12-year-old picked up an injury when winning his second Horse & Hotel Jockey Chase at Thurles. It ensures he goes out on a winning notw.
Patrick Mullins, who rode the horse in bumpers and twice over fences, sees that as fitting.
“He loved his racing,” Mullins said to the Jockey Club. “It was a pity he missed a year through injury, which was probably his prime year really. I don’t think we saw the very best of him, but he was a yard favourite and I had some great days with him, as did Paul Townend. He’ll be much missed.”
That injury in the midst of his career ensured his first season out of novice company was delayed. Missing that potentially robbed racing of a serious talent based on his Cheltenham victory.
“His Supreme win was phenomenal – how far he won by was extraordinary. I had a good day out with him at the Dublin Racing Festival and, as a chaser on one day, we split Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow in the John Durkan Memorial Chase. Whether it was bumpers, hurdles or chases, he was mixing it with the best of them.”
He will now have a happy retirement with the Masterson family who owned him, and Mullins only wishes the big horse the best.
“He was a great servant and hopefully he’ll have a long and happy retirement.”