'I'm truly grateful for having him' - Sam Thomas hails Al Dancer as popular grey is retired

Sam Thomas has described Al Dancer as a horse who "knows how to raise everyone's spirits" after a decision was made to retire this month's runaway Badger Beer Chase winner.

The Dai Walters-owned 11-year-old rolled back the years at Wincanton when winning first time out for the sixth season, but came out of the race with a small injury which would have necessitated having the rest of the season off.

Following discussions with Walters, Thomas has called time on Al Dancer's career, which was also illuminated by wins in the 2019 Betfair Hurdle and 2022 Grand Sefton Chase.

"He picked up a little niggle from the Badger Beer which means he's going to miss the rest of the season and, with him turning 12 in January, we felt it was only fair for the horse to be retired on a good note," said Thomas. 

"I had more well-wishes after the Badger Beer than I did when I won the Gold Cup as a rider. I had so many people get in touch with us to say well done and how much they enjoyed watching him."

Al Dancer with trainer Sam Thomas and jockey Callum Pritchard after victory in the Badger BeerCredit: Edward Whitaker

Al Dancer was previously trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, for whom he won two novice hurdles and a handicap before landing the Betfair Hurdle, which was transferred to Ascot from Newbury that year.

He was then sent off favourite for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, but finished down the field in a race won by Klassical Dream.

The grey was switched to Thomas for the 2021-22 season and won three more times to take his career statistics to ten wins in 31 starts and nearly £320,000 in prize-money.

"He's been mega throughout his career and has done so much for me personally, and certainly for Mr Walters," said Thomas. "I'm truly grateful for having him. It was only a couple of days after the helicopter crash that he won the Grand Sefton, so he knows how to raise everyone's spirits."

Al Dancer is set to spend his retirement helping the next generation of stars at Walters' racing stables at Lisvane, near Cardiff, from where Thomas trains.

"He's 11 but he's like a four-year-old on the gallops every day," said Thomas. "He'll have a great life now and, when he's fully healed, he'll no doubt be a fantastic lead horse for all the youngsters."

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