2017 King George VI Chase Winner, Might Bite has retired. The announcement was made by trainer Nicky Henderson, who suggested the reason was that the horse appeared to no longer enjoy racing like it used to.

The horse was foaled in June 2009 and won 10 out of its 25 starts, the most remarkable of them being in 2017 when it won the King George VI Chase. In 2016, it won the RSA Chase, beating stablemate Whisper by split seconds.

Reflecting on the horse’s career, Henderson noted that it was sad that the horse was retiring but was happy that it was doing so on its own terms. He said, “it is a sad day at Seven Barrows as we have decided to call time on the career of Might Bite who has been retired after we came to the conclusion that perhaps he wasn’t enjoying his racing quite as much as the good old days.

But it’s great that he ends his life on the track a perfectly sound and happy person and on his own terms, which is the most important thing. He was one of the most amazing characters you’ll ever come across and was the most gorgeous looking horse you will ever see; he had so much presence about him and stood out more than anything else in the parade ring and was in the Sprinter Sacre sort of mould.”

Henderson also said that when Might Bite was purchased, all they took into account was its great looks rather than its strengths, but the horse proved to be a real stunner, winning £607,000 in total prize money. To Henderson, there are many great things about Might Bite that one could write a book about the horse. But above all, Henderson is quite pleased that the horse is retiring in a good state. Following its retirement, Might Bite would now spend the rest of its days with Charlie Barnett, former supremo Aintree.

Written by: Leon Osamor