Racing: Istabraq's racing days are over

Internal links

Johnson calls up Flagship reserves

Johnson's Cheltenham delight

Bacchanal for Gold Cup revelry

McCoy's futile search for glint of hope

Pipe's success and sadness

Trouble looks worth avoiding

Apostles of chance supply stern test of willpower

Istabraq's career looks over after the 10-year-old was pulled up when attempting a record fourth success at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

Charlie Swan felt uneasy on Istabraq after he had jumped just one flight and after taking the second hurdle decided to pull the 2-1 favourite up. Vet John Halley found that Istabraq had damaged a tendon and thought that the injury occurred either jumping off or jumping the first hurdle.

His trainer, Aidan O'Brien, said yesterday: "He will travel home to Ballydoyle with Darapour this evening and will be re-examined by John Halley tomorrow morning. His owner, J P McManus, added: "I think he has obviously run his last race. I think it is asking a lot to have another one as good."

Istabraq won the Champion in 1998, 1999 and 2000.