2016 CHELTENHAM CHAMPION hurdler Annie Power could be set for retirement after Willie Mullins confirmed that she will not run at Punchestown this week as planned.
Power was entered in the Mares Champion Hurdle on the final day of the Punchestown Festival, despite being in foal to iconic flat star Camelot.
Mullins has now confirmed that the wondermare, beloved by Irish horse racing fans, will not race on Saturday.
But he refused to be drawn on any talk of retirement before having a chance to consult with owners Rich and Susannah Ricci.
“I thought she worked very well last week,” he told the Press Association, “but she was just not showing any sparkle this week and I didn’t feel happy running her.
“I don’t want to say anything about retirement yet as I need to have a discussion with the owner.”
The nine-year-old is one of the outstanding mares in recent racing history, losing just two races in her 17 starts under rules.
The most famous of those defeats came at Cheltenham in 2015 when she famously fell in the hands of Ruby Walsh when on course to comfortably win the Mares Hurdle, a result that reportedly spared the bookmaking industry €100 million.
But in a moment to savour, she bounced back 12 months later to win the Champion Hurdle, beating the boys and becoming the first mare in 22 years to take the two-mile crown.
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Absolutely terrible decision that has to be a red card , high speed neck high challenge to stop a goal scoring opportunity. Very generous refereeing for Galway in that first half
Coen was a lucky boy
Terrible decision!
That was one seriously dangerous challenge and he should have walked . The short conversation with linesman had me convinced he was gone.
Hurling > football
Lower viewing figures, less participating counties…..
Hoping for a Galway win, Kilkenny will shade it no doubt!!
So the location of the match is at Old Trafford?
When did Mick McCarthy lose his lovely quiff & when did he start managing Galway ?
Boring. Kilkenny too good again. Hurling becoming a joke.
Galway resorting to Dublin tactics and being facilitated by ref
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz
You mean Kilkenny tactics?
Big time bottlers are Galway, not helped by some terrible refereeing
Galway can’t complain about refereeing, got 2 points from soft overcarrying decisions and should have had 14 men for the whole 2nd half
OMG Stick Wars !!
It was disgusting to see half of the Kilkenny crowd leave before the cup was presented, talk about arrogance.
Galway could have won it but the Cats ‘re the best for a reason, great second half display by them.
Maybe next year Galway…
Well done, Galway. A few stats! Galway all Ireland Intermediate champs, All Ireland Minor Champs, and 2nd best Senior team in the country…and the Ladies to come yet…Not bad, I suggest…
Keep it going, Galway.
Great Kilkenny team, no argument. But they will be stopped sometime!!
How can the 42 not get the full time score correct?
Great Galway display, against an indisputable set of Kilkenny legends. No doubt about that. But just remember a little stat (to the knockers!). Galway= all Ireland Intermediate champs, All Ireland Minor Champs and 2nd best Seniors in the country and all for 2015. And the Ladies Camogie has to come yet in the all Ireland… Not bad stats? So, Galway, well done, a credit to yourselves. And under great leadership.
Man of the stadium: Messi
Jonny Ryan a legend