Paul Nicholls pays tribute to 'true legend' Present Man after his retirement

Leading trainer Paul Nicholls has stressed the importance of knowing when the time is right to draw stumps with racehorses after confirming the retirement of dual Badger Ales Silver Trophy winner Present Man.

The 11-year-old was pulled up behind Singlefarmpayment in the veterans' chase at Ascot on Sunday having finished 81 lengths behind Sir Ivan on his previous start at Newbury this month, and those performances convinced connections to call time on a career that produced nine wins from 31 starts and £173,409 in prize-money.

Present Man's two biggest days came when landing the 2017 and 2018 Badger Ales Silver Trophy Chase (now the Badger Beers) at Wincanton, where he was a fitting winner for Mark and Tessa Woodhouse, who sponsor the race through their brewing company.

Members can relive the first of Present Man's Badger Ales victories

"He's been a great servant for the owners over the years," Nicholls said. "The Badger Ales is their race and they wanted a horse to win it.

"Present Man was a bit disappointing in his novice runs, but I sold him to Mark and Tessa under the pretence that they would have a bit of fun with him and might win a Badger Ales Chase and he went and he won two of them. They were two amazing days."

On the retirement decision, Nicholls said: "It was obvious after today [Sunday]. He won earlier in the season at Chepstow, but he hasn't really been in love with the game since. We didn't want to have to ask him to race again.

"It's been a pleasure to train him and he's lovely to have about, but it's very important with these old chasers that when they've shown they've had enough, you stop because they've still got half their life ahead of them. Now he can go and do something active and have a lovely home."

The first of Present Man's Badger Ales victories came with then relatively unknown 5lb claimer Bryony Frost on board, and the jockey struck up a quick bond with the horse with that partnership unbroken for the remainder of his career.

Bryony Frost celebrates on Present Man after the second of their Badger Ales Trophy winsCredit: Alan Crowhurst

"He was very influential for Bryony," Nicholls said. "She got on great with him, won the two Badger Ales and she owes him a lot. Along with Black Corton, who we retired the other day, she's going to have to find some new stars. It's good that he's ended in one piece and it suits everybody."

Present Man will spend his retirement with Nicholls' former assistant Tom Jonason and his wife Chloe at their home in Leicestershire, where they already house another former Nicholls charge in Sire Collonges.

If you want the day's top stories . . .

What's on this week: Envoi Allen could star in an Easter feast for racing fans

British racing to receive £21 million from government's sport survival package

Tiger Roll decision to be left late with Irish National and Aintree on the table

Granville Davies, jump jockey and Milton Bradley stalwart, dies at age of 60

Place bets with seven bookmakers without leaving the free Racing Post app. Same prices, same offers, live video. Every race, every day. Search 'Racing Post App' to download for free