Paul Nicholls confirms retirement of Cheltenham Festival star due to career-ending injury

Paul Nicholls has confirmed the retirement of one of his top jumpers of recent seasons due a career-ending injury. The 14-time champion trained Stage Star to nine victories in 21 starts for leading low cost syndicate operation Owners Group.

The gelding recorded his biggest success when he captured the Turners Novices’ Chase at the 2023 Cheltenham Festival and later the same year he landed the Paddy Power Gold Cup at the same track. Earlier in his career he secured the first of his Grade 1 triumphs in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury.

Stage Star raced four times last season without winning, running his best race when beaten three quarters of a length by L’Homme Presse, when trying 3m plus for the first time, then finished third in the Aintree Bowl at the Grand National meeting.

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At the age of nine his connections had more expectations of success this term but he has been sidelined by a tendon injury. Members of his ownership group had already broken the news of his retirement before Nicholls confirmed the decision on Thursday.

He said in a post on his X account: “Yesterday we collectively decided to retire Stage Star and he will spend his immediate future with the owners group. He has a small injury which will be totally fine in time. What a tough wonderful genuine horse winning 2 grade ones and many other races for @ownersgroupuk.”

Many of his owners responded to the news by saying how much they’d being part of Stage Star’s career.

David Church wrote: “Thankyou so much with what the team has done for many years. Never did I think I would be part of a Cheltenham festival group 1 winner, not once but twice, we are all sad it has come to an end but he fully deserves retirement. Memories with us forever and won’t be replaced.”

Another shareholder Emma said: “Could never have dreamed I'd be involved in such a horse. He took us to all the big meetings and big races. Thank you to all at Paul's and Owner's Group who looked after him. Thank you Stage Star.”

While Ashley Field said: “Sad it had to happen through injury but you’ve earned a long and happy retirement Stage Star! You’ve been an amazing racehorse winning a grade one at the Cheltenham Festival and the paddy power gold cup, giving your owners an amazing thrill and enjoyment along the way. “