Buveur D'Air at his best: five highlights from the superstar hurdler's career

Dual Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D'Air has been retired at the age of 11. Here, we take a look at some of the moments which made the Nicky Henderson-trained star one of the finest hurdlers of the last decade.

2017 Champion Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival, March 2017

Although he was already a top-level winner over hurdles, this was the moment Buveur D'Air burst on to the scene as the champion the two-mile division desperately needed.

With Annie Power and Faugheen sidelined by injury, it was left to Buveur D'Air to dazzle the festival with an easy four-and-a-half-length win from stablemate My Tent Or Yours under Noel Fehily, a victory which made Henderson the most successful trainer in Champion Hurdle history with six wins.

Noel Fehily salutes the crowd after winning the 2017 Champion HurdleCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

What made it even more remarkable was that it came during an unusual campaign which started with two workmanlike victories over fences. The ugly duckling chaser had evolved into a beautiful swan over hurdles.

2017 Aintree Hurdle

Aintree, April 2017

It may have been the calm after the storm following his Cheltenham heroics, but the ease he showed when confirming his form with My Tent Or Yours crowned him as the undisputed top hurdler that season.

The distance to his stablemate was five lengths this time, but it could have been far more had Barry Geraghty – who missed his Champion Hurdle win through injury – not eased him down in the final stages on his first try over two and a half miles.

2018 Champion Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival, March 2018

This was not Buveur D'Air at his brilliant best, rather his toughest.

Buveur D'Air (white cap) and Melon battle it out in the 2018 Champion HurdleCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

His trademark acceleration may have been absent in the testing ground, but we saw a different side to Buveur – one of bravery and determination – to fend off the persistent challenge of Melon.

It emerged afterwards that he had been suffering breathing issues, which made his will to win even more impressive having gone through the pain barrier to defend his title.

2018 Fighting Fifth Hurdle

Newcastle, November 2018

Doubts had crept in that Buveur D'Air was vulnerable to the new generation, but he proved he was still the king of the division with a mesmerising second success in the Fighting Fifth.

He may have started the 11-8 second-favourite behind Samcro, but there was no doubt who would be the winner from early on as he splashed through the driving rain to an eight-length success.

Even a crash through the final flight, which had serious consequences a year later, could not stop him.

2019 Punchestown Champion Hurdle

Punchestown, May 2019

Last of the eight Grade 1 wins in his stunning career came on his only start in Ireland as he wowed the Punchestown crowd with an authoritative victory under Davy Russell.

After falling to land a historic hat-trick in the Champion Hurdle, Buveur D'Air suffered a shock defeat behind Supasundae in the Aintree Hurdle.

Buveur D'Air storms to his last Grade 1 win under Davy RussellCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

However, he reversed that form impressively at Punchestown, where top-class hurdlers Wicklow Brave, Apple's Jade and Melon were all soundly beaten.

It proved to be Buveur D'Air's final win, but it meant he had completed the rare treble of winning at all three major spring festivals.

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