Morson-sponsored horse Clan Des Obeaux retires after winning career
Two-time King George VI winner Clan Des Obeaux, owned by Morson CEO Ged Mason, Sir Alex Ferguson and Mr and Mrs Paul Barber, has been retired by champion trainer Paul Nicholls.
The 11-year-old hadn’t raced since finishing second in the Punchestown Gold Cup last April and suffered a minor injury. Preparation for Aintree in recent weeks was reportedly going well, however, Clan had then been ruled out for the season due to the niggling injury, which made it clear to Paul and the owners that the right thing to do was to retire him.
Paul Nicholls spoke to Morson about Clan’s retirement:
“Obviously we’re very sad that we’ve had to retire Clan Des Obeaux this week after trying our best to get him ready to go for the Aintree Bowl for a third successive year. But we just ran out of time, a tiny little niggly injury, it just keeps playing up and the right thing to do is ultimately retire him. I had a chat with Sir Alex, Ged, and Paul Barber last week and we decided that was the right thing to do”
Ged was also full of praise for an incredible horse that brought him some truly unforgettable moments in Morson colours:
“Clan has been a once-in-a-lifetime horse for myself, Sir Alex, and Mr and Mrs Barber. Winning those special races will stick in all of our memories forever. He gave his all and for that, we have made the right decision to retire this special horse and repay all his efforts with the retirement, rest, and care he deserves. A special thanks for their hard work, devotion, and care go to Scott, Clifford, Paul, all assistants, Harry, Charlie, and all the team. Enjoy my beauty.”
Paul reflected on some of the highlights of Clan’s racing journey and shared how proud is of a once-in-a-lifetime horse:
“It’s sad, but again, it’s not sad because he’s been a wonderful horse, and what a career he’s had from winning his first juvenile hurdle when he was three years old, to winning all those fantastic races, two King George VI Gold Cups at Kempton, two Aintree Bowls. The Punchestown Gold Cup two years ago, which was an epic race, and he’s just been a fantastic horse to us all. And I’m sure Ged and Sir Alex can say it’s probably the best horse they probably ever owned and if we can get another one like that, it would be fantastic. But the good thing is he’s sound, he will have a little bit of a rest in the field for the summer and then we’ll find a nice job for him doing something else. He can go hunting, he can go showing. He’s shown class, he’d probably be hard to beat in things like that. He’ll have a wonderful home for the rest of his life. But it’s been a pleasure to train such a fantastic horse.”
It has been tremendous to see all the success and happy memories Clan has brought to his owners and stable and it has been brilliant to be a part of this journey as a sponsor.
