GRAKLE'S WORK DONE

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 61, 13 March 1934, Page 4

GRAKLE'S WORK DONE

FAMOUS 'CHASER RETIRED

Twelve-year-old., Grakle, who won the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase three years ago, will never again be asked to jump the big fences. He was found last month to be. suffering from heart trouble, and he was then and there pensioned off to his owner's paddocks. His days of ease and leisure have been well earned. His trainer, Tom Coulthwaite, said:— "We have had a suspicion for some time that Grakle has been suffering from heart trouble, and this was confirmed after a long examination and re-examination by Major C. W. Townsend, F.R.C.V.S., the veterinary surgeon we called in. Grave irregularity of the heart was disclosed, and Major Townsend expressed the opinion that any further racing would probably end fatally. There-is no doubt that this heart trouble was the cause of. his failure in the Smethwick 'Chase at Birmingham recently. In tlie circumstances Mr. Taylor has decided to pension him off, and the gallant old jumper will be retired forthwith to : the paddocks at Brook Hall, Tattenhall, near Chester." Grakle contested six successive Grand Nationals, from 1927 to 1032 inclusive, and was successful in the' race in 1031 in the fastest tinie recorded -tee that date. . The record did not stand for long, however, as Kellsboro' Jack reduced it by nearly five seconds last March. Tom Coulthwaite, who is in his seventythird year, would have retired from training four years ago but for his. belief that Grakle would one; day vindicate his faith in him .by winning the .Grand National. His triumph in the Blue Riband of the 'Chase came the following year. When he was asked if he also now contemplated retiring he. replied: "I shall not give up training, so long as anyone will send me a horse likely to win the Grand National." Grakle has been the victim of bad luck in some of His attempts to win the Grand National. In 1927 and 1928 he was brought d(/wn by interference from other competitors, in 1929 he finished .sixth, in 1930 he fell, and in 1932 he was stopped by a loose horse. He was one of the favourites for. last' year's Grand National until .he. suddenly fell lame while being exercised on the roads and had to be scratched; ' ■ ■ ..