One of Ireland´s most successful ever chasers, Florida Pearl, has officially been retired by his trainer Willie Mullins.
A decision on the horse´s future had been expected during the Summer and connections of the 12yo announced the decision at Galway today.
In all, Florida Pearl ran 33 times, winning sixteen races, including nine Grade 1 events. The gelding won four Hennessy Cognac Gold Cups although he is best remembered for his defeat of Best Mate in the 2001 King George VI Chase at Kempton.
Florida Pearl, whose final race proved to be his memorable win in last season´s ´Hennessy´, failed to make the line-up for this year´s Cheltenham Festival, a Festival he had competed at on six occasions from 1997 to 2003, missing out only on the abandoned 2001 meeting.
