Veteran Earthmover is retired

Earthmover began his final season with a win at Fontwell

Veteran jumper Earthmover has been retired at the age of 14.

The Paul Nicholls-trained horse made history by winning the Christie's Foxhunter Chase at Cheltenham twice, six years apart.

He triumphed in 1998 under Joe Tizzard and repeated the feat in 2004 when Rilly Goschen took the ride for one of the Festival's most popular wins.

His final race was in the Baulking Green Hunters Chase at Cheltenham last month where he finished third.

"We've been discussing it for a month and we've decided to call it a day," said Nicholls.

"He came back a little distressed after his last race but when we turned him out at owner Roger Penny's yard he galloped around a field for 10 minutes.

"He'll have a nice summer holiday and then we'll find someone who will give him a good home. You can be sure that wherever he goes, he'll have the best of everything.

"He was just unbelievably genuine and owes nobody a thing. It was a real privilege to train him."

Earthmover won 19 races in his career and earned almost £190,000 in prize money.