'Great servant' and three-time festival hero Cause Of Causes is retired

Cause Of Causes, a three-time winner at the Cheltenham Festival who finished second in last year's Grand National, has been retired.

The ten-year-old suffered an injury when pulled up at Cheltenham last month and Frank Berry, racing manager to owner JP McManus, said on Monday: "Cause Of Causes wasn't right after running at Cheltenham and we've decided to retire him.

"He was a great servant and gave us many memorable days. He'll enjoy his retirement at Martinstown [McManus's County Limerick farm]."

Cause Of Causes won only three times over fences, but, remarkably, they were all achieved at the Cheltenham Festival under Jamie Codd.

Cause Of Causes: won the cross-country chase in 2017Credit: Patrick McCann

He won the National Hunt Chase in 2015, the Kim Muir Chase in 2016 and the Cross Country Chase last year, a victory which came prior to him finishing second to One For Arthur at Aintree.

He was being trained with another tilt at the Grand National in mind before being injured at Cheltenham.

Trained originally in France, where he won on the Flat for Pascal Bary, the three-parts brother to 2003 Derby winner Kris Kin won five times over hurdles.

His biggest victory over hurdles came in the Ladbroke at Ascot in 2012. He was beaten a head in the Galway Hurdle earlier that year.

Gordon Elliott, who trained him for most of his career, said: "Over hurdles and fences Cause Of Causes did very well. Winning at three Cheltenham Festivals in a row was special.

"He was a great favourite of everyone in the yard and he'll be missed around the place. But he's gone to a good home to enjoy his retirement."

Profile: Cause Of Causes

Three steps to heaven: Cause Of Causes's Cheltenham Festival strikes

2015 National Hunt Chase
After finishing seventh in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle on his festival debut in 2013 and being runner-up in the 2014 Kim Muir Chase, he came from behind to beat Broadway Buffalo by a length and a half.

2016 Kim Muir Handicap Chase
Waiting tactics were again employed and after coming from off the pace to lead two out, he stormed away from his pursuers on the climb from the final fence to win by 12 lengths.

2017 Cross Country Chase
Another wide-margin victory to complete his festival hat-trick. He hit the front approaching the final fence and forged clear to beat his stablemate Bless The Wings by nine lengths.

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