Tuesday saw the sad retirement of Fergal O'Brien's well liked veteran, Alvarado. The 14 year old was well known for being a staying horse throughout his career and popularly placed twice in the Grand National at Aintree.
(Credit Racing Post) The trainer said: He was the most wonderful horse," O'Brien said. "I was lucky enough that his owners Mr and Mrs Rucker sent him to me during my second season of training.
"He trained himself and was a joy to have around. Paul Moloney got on so well with him, and together they finished fourth in two Nationals and runner-up in the Scottish National.
"He was a bit of an Aintree legend after finishing fourth to Pineau De Re in 2014 and then fourth behind Many Clouds the following year. He won £230,000 in prize-money during his career."
The final announcement and decision to retire the likeable experienced horse came after he finished a valiant sixth on New Year's Day at Cheltenham in the Grade 3 Handicap Chase on what was his actual birthday.
From his 36 career starts the 14 year old went on to win eight of them, giving him a final title of prize money earnings of just over £230,000. With this, his highest RPR in his career was 147 which is a very respectable mark for a good national hunt horse.
Alvarado in addition to finishing fourth twice in the two Grand Nationals he also did well in the Scottish Grand National based at Ayr. His best performance was in the 2016 renewal when he came a strong second behind the eventual winner for Paul Nicholls in Vicente.
This horse has had a wonderful career and may not have been one of the greatest horses of all time but for the Fergal O'Brien yard he was one of the most liked and will be sorely missed for the trainer.