Tuite hails Litigant after retiring delicate stable star

The fragile but talented Litigant, who gave Lambourn trainer Joe Tuite the finest hour of his career when landing the Ebor in 2015 after a 16-month layoff, has been retired.

Bred by Darley, Litigant began his career in France with Andre Fabre but in 2013 came under the care of Seamus Durack, who saddled him to win the Marathon at the inaugural Good Friday All-weather Championships the following year.

That success came in the colours of Tony Byrne, who moved the son of Sinndar to Tuite's yard in 2015.

He had yet to run for the trainer when he was driven to a 33-1 success in the Ebor by Oisin Murphy.

Victory in the November Handicap three months later followed, but Litigant was restricted to just three outings last year and has not raced this term. His career ends with seven victories from 13 starts and £366,657 pocketed in prize-money.

Tuite said: "His old injuries started to flare up again so we've decided it was time to call stumps, and we'll just try to find him a good home where he can live out the rest of his days.

"The greatest day of my racing career was him winning the Ebor. It was a massive, massive day; great for the yard. It's sad to see him finish, but he's in one piece and he's going to have a good, long and happy retirement."

Joe Tuite: 'It's sad to see him finish'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Tuite earned plenty of praise for his handling of Litigant before the Ebor, although always knew the engine was there.

"He was difficult to train and just had lots of little problems – tendons and joints were his main issues – but when you got him right on his day, he was a very good horse," he added. "I always remember the day George Baker rode him work at Salisbury as we set about the route before the Ebor.

"George said, 'Don't underestimate how good this horse is. He's a genuine Group horse on his day, probably a Group 2 horse'.

"Those were George's words that day, but he didn't always show you that at home in his work and I will always remember speaking to Oisin the day before the Ebor because Oisin had never ridden him when he worked well.

"I said, 'You must have faith in this horse – you've got to believe in him and when you go out there tomorrow this will be a different horse'.

"I think Oisin was quite surprised how well he travelled and he easy he took him into the Ebor, but that's what we saw when George rode him at Salisbury."

Surrey Hope and Machine Learner are now among the leading lights in Tuite's stable, but he said: "Litigant is certainly the best I've trained. You keep looking for another one now, but they're hard to find.

"Surrey Hope is pretty good and Machine Learner is a good stayer who is going to improve, but they've a bit to go to be another Litigant."