---
title: "Bishop hints at Cue Card retirement"
canonical: "https://readhorseracing.com/2017/02/28/bishop-hints-cue-card-retirement/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Archer"
section: "News"
published: "2017-02-28T10:29:54Z"
modified: "2017-02-28T10:29:54Z"
---

# Bishop hints at Cue Card retirement

Jean Bishop, owner of the one of the most popular horses in training, Cue Card, has hinted that the 11-year-old may be retired if he wins National Hunt racing’s Blue Riband event, the Grade One Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival.

Winner of the 2010 Champion Bumper, Cue Card has been a regular at Prestbury Park in the years since, most notably winning the 2013 Ryanair Chase and falling three fences from home in last year’s Gold Cup – won by Don Cossack when seemingly travelling well under Paddy Brennan.

A winner of nine Grade One events, the son of King’s Theatre was a facile winner of the Ascot Chase in February, routing a decent field by 15 lengths over two and a half-miles.

Colin Tizzard’s charge now shades favouritism for the extended three-miles and two furlongs ahead of stable-mate Native River with fellow stable-mate Thistlecrack sadly ruled out of this year’s Festival with a tendon injury.

![Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readhorseracing.com/readhorseracing/2017/02/155655203.jpg)

However, Bishop believes that if her gelding was to win the Gold Cup next month, it could prove a perfect way to finish the horse’s illustrious career. Bishop commented:

> It would be a nice way to end his career. I would have to speak to Colin Tizzard. I wouldn’t want to carry on racing and see him struggle or anything like that.
>
> He couldn’t do anything else if he won the Gold Cup and there would be nothing to aim for. He has been on the go for seven years and it would probably be the best thing for him. We will have to see. He has hot to win the Gold Cup first then we will think about it after the race.

Bishop looks set to be doubly represented in the Racing’s Blue Riband event with Theatre Guide also set to run in the contest.

An excellent third under a big weight in the BetBright Chase at Kempton Park earlier this month, the ten-year-old looks set for a tilt at the Gold Cup with Bishop adding: “It was pleasing and we are going to try for the Gold Cup with him.”