Christian Williams rocked by retirement of 'exceptional mare' Win My Wings

Christian Williams has described Win My Wings as an "exceptional mare" after the trainer was forced to retire his stable star due to injury.

Win My Wings had been set to start a season which revolved around the Grand National in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, but missed last weekend's race with a cut leg.

The injury has proved career-ending for last season's emphatic Scottish Grand National winner, who Williams was contemplating running in other major races such as this month's Coral Gold Cup at Newbury – for which she had been a general 20-1 shot – and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

"She knocked herself there and has a slight tendon injury," the trainer said. "She's a valuable broodmare and we'll find a good home for her now and keep following her young stock."

Win My Wings's official rating soared from 129 to 154 following wins last season at Chepstow, in the Eider Chase at Newcastle and then in Scotland's biggest jump race.

She produced a performance rarely seen at Ayr to win by an eased-down seven lengths from stablemate Kitty's Light under amateur rider Rob James.

"She was an exceptional mare," said Williams. "To do what she did in the Scottish National, it was a freakish performance. She wasn't your typical staying chaser who got behind the bridle and plodded through a race, she was a very strong traveller who stayed and jumped well. She was very tough but she had the class as well."

The fact Williams believed there was even more to come from the Sue Howell-owned nine-year-old, who was bought for £9,250 in December 2018, makes the blow even harder to take.

"We thought she had more to give and she had a Grand National plan this season, but it wasn't to be," Williams said. "My brother Nicky rode her every day at home – he did the training and I did the planning. She was brilliant, but you can't dwell on it and we'll dust ourselves down and find the next one.

"It would be great if a British breeder was to buy her and she stood in this country. We'll probably find out in the next few weeks."

Win My Wings won seven of her 22 races under rules and earned £179,691 in total prize-money.

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