From the 2010 Supreme Novices' Hurdle to a fourth Oaksey Chase victory, Menorah finished a proud and distinguished racing career in glorious style at Sandown.
Bet365 Oaksey Chase
Race Result
1st Menorah 9/4
2nd Traffic Fluide 15/8F
3rd Josses Hill 7/2
Click here for the full result and free video replay
Race Report
On a day that has been increasingly marketed as a celebration of Jumps racing as a whole, there could have been no more fitting winner than Menorah, who completed a run of four successes in the Grade Two chase in emphatic fashion.
Having taken up the running over the Railway Fences, Richard Johnson kicked Menorah away from his rivals after the third-last fence and nothing got close to him from that point.
Favourite Traffic Fluide admirably tried to get closer in the home straight, but Richard Johnson could afford to ease Menorah down close to the line for a four-and-a-half-length success.
Among Menorah's 15 victories in 43 starts included the 2010 Supreme Novices' Hurdle, the Manifesto Novices' Chase, the Peterborough Chase and the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. He amassed over £667,000 in prize-money and will spend his retirement at Johnson's farm in Herefordshire.
Reaction
Owner Graham Whateley: It's hard to describe the emotion but it's his last race - he's going to be retired now.
He's done so well, made us so proud and we're so lucky to have him.
The emails and texts and phonecalls we have had for Diana and I - and for Menorah himself - have been overwhelming. He has been such a popular horse and I don't know if we will ever be able to replace him.
Richard Johnson: What a fitting end to his career and a fitting end to the season for me too.
Unfortunately in the winter he doesn't enjoy soft ground and that's a big problem but Philip Hobbs and the owners have been very patient with him and waited for this race for the last couple of seasons and it's the perfect way to sign off.
I won't be taking him home today but he'll be coming to live with me and Looks Like Trouble and hopefully he will have a long and happy second career with my family, being ridden and looked after by the children.
Philip Hobbs: Ever since he won the Supreme, he's been at the top end and I think small fields suit him best over fences and this was the one race that ideally seems to suit him. He's been an absolute pleasure to train.
