Wednesday 6 June 2018 13:13, UK
Willie Mullins has announced the retirement of dual Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Djakadam.
The nine-year-old was a stalwart on the big-race scene over fences in recent years, finishing second in the blue riband at the Festival to Coneygree in 2015 and Don Cossack 12 months later.
As well as those efforts, he was fourth to Sizing John in 2017 and fifth to Native River last season.
Owned by Rich Ricci, Djakadam won seven times for Mullins, including back-to-back runnings of the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown in 2015-16.
A hock injury was the reason for the early retirement, something he suffered in the Grande Steeple-Chase de Paris at Auteuil last month.
Mullins tweeted: "Djakadam retires today and will go back to his breeder in France.
"A fantastic horse to train and have in Closutton and a wonderful career to match.
"Thanks to Jason Dear (groom) who looked after him so well."
