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ODDSbible Racing: Star Mare Annie Power Retired

ODDSbible Racing: Star Mare Annie Power Retired

A sad day.

Anonymous

Anonymous

One of the finest mares of her generation, the Willie Mullins-trained Annie Power has been retired.

Not seen on the racetrack since plundering the Grade One Doom Bar Aintree Hurdle in April 2016, the nine-year-old daughter of Shirocco had previously landed the Grade One Stan James Champion Hurdle under Ruby Walsh at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival. Mullins' charge jumped with aplomb that day and spread-eagled the field in the closing stages to record a bloodless four and a half-length success in the two-mile championship showpiece.

The superstar mare was being prepared for a tilt at this year's renewal but after suffering a leg injury in January, she was ruled out of the contest with many people raising questions as to whether she would be seen again on the racetrack. However, Mullins intimated that the Irish-bred mare would potentially head to the Punchestown Festival. This sadly did not come to fruition after it was revealed that Annie Power was in foal to 2012 2000 Guineas and Derby winner Camelot, with Mullins the Closutton handler today announcing the end of the mare's career.

A winner of 15 of her 17 starts under rules, Annie Power is also famously remembered for her final flight spill in the Grade One OLBG Mares' Hurdle at the 2015 Cheltenham Festival in which with the race at her mercy, she saved the bookies an estimated £10 million.

Annie Power was a legend for the sport. Her appeal as a mare who could beat the boys only heightened her appeal and she will now hopefully make a brilliant mare at stud capable of producing more racing wonders.

Analysis by Danny Archer

"I remember being at both the 2015 Cheltenham Festival and the shock that reverberated around Prestbury Park after Annie Power's final flight fall. Not only had the fall saved the bookies millions but it also looked a very nasty incident and most racegoers were just happy to see that she had got up.

However, Annie roared back to her brilliant best after that mishap which culminated with an emphatic success in the 2016 Champion Hurdle. Ever since her leg injury was announced in January, the racing world had already presumed that she would not race again. Thankfully, her she is fine health wise and now looks ready to embark on what could be a profitable and successful career at stud.

Annie Power, thanks for the memories."

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