'He has the run of our place and is the king of the property' - Altior still a fan favourite in Lambourn after retirement

We all have our favourites on the track, but it's not always easy to follow what they get up to once their racing days are over. In a new Racing Post series, we catch up with Altior . . .

Nicky Henderson has trained some of the greatest equine stars down the years and Altior sits among the best on the top table with 21 victories from 26 appearances.

After winning on his debut at Market Rasen in 2014, the son of High Chaparral went on to land ten Grade 1s and register a 19-race winning streak that spanned four seasons. 

As well as winning in four consecutive Cheltenham Festivals, Altior had a love affair with Sandown and won five of his six outings at the Esher venue, including the 2018 Tingle Creek.

Owned by Patricia Pugh, the great champion's last success came in the 2020 Game Spirit at Newbury and he was retired in September 2021. He was sent to Mick and Chloe Fitzgerald, whose yard is based down the road from Henderson's base in Lambourn, where he has been enjoying his life after racing.

Fitzgerald said: "He’s loving his retirement. He has the run of our place and he has a lovely time – he’s kind of the king of the property!"

Altior returned to Seven Barrows for National Racehorse Week in September, and Fitzgerald said: "He really enjoyed that and it’s nice that people are still keen to see him."

The superstar, who underwent two operations due to colic in January 2023, is always attracting interest in the village, with community members regularly asking Fitzgerald for updates. 

He said: "The horse has an unbelievable will and it’s amazing he’s still alive after the surgery he had. A lot of people did an amazing job to ensure he survived, and Pat and Christopher Pugh [owners] were amazing. They wanted to give the horse every chance, because they felt they owed it to him, and he’s living his best life now.

"They wanted him to have a nice retirement and he has that. He gets ridden out four or five days a week by my wife, Chloe, he goes off for hacks and everyone knows him in the village. He has a lovely time."

More from our Where Are They Now series:

'He's an absolute gentleman' - Betfair Chase stalwart Bristol De Mai still loves jumping in new life at a racing yard 

'He's a bit of a local celebrity and loves life' - catching up with Paddy Power Gold Cup regular Splash Of Ginge 

'He's a king in the heart of Dartmoor' - at home with the hugely popular star and Badger Beer hero Frodon 

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