Haydock Park specialist and dual-Betfair Chase hero Royale Pagaille has been retired from racing at the grand age of 12.
Royale Pagaille Retired After Final Run At Beloved Haydock
In a racing career spanning lasting almost nine years, Royale Pagaille has competed on a racetrack for the final time and it’s fitting that his last run was at Haydock.
Venetia Williams’ old boy made Haydock his home over the last five years, running there ten times during his career.
He won the Betfair Chase back-to-back in that time and also finished runner-up in the race twice as well.
WATCH: Royale Pagaille Wins 2024 Betfair Chase
He just LOVES the mud 🩷💚
𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 takes advantage of a mistake at the last from a tired Grey Dawning to win the Grade 1 @Betfair Chase for a second year running. @VenetiaWRacing | @charliedeutsch2 | @haydockraces pic.twitter.com/g2V9EWg5JR
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) November 23, 2024
Royale Pagaille Goes Hunting After Retiring From Racing
After spending six years at Venetia Williams’ stables in Hereford, Royale Pagaille will now go hunting at his new home down in Dorset.
Williams was speaking to the Racing Post, confirming his retirement:
“He ran another stormer in this season’s Betfair, but we’ve decided this is the right time to retire him.
“For four of the last five years, he’s run terrific races in the Betfair Chase, but the last couple of seasons he’s struggled to build on that.
“He didn’t run so well in the Peter Marsh and was becoming more ground dependent the older he was getting. Unless it was testing, he was finding it all a bit too quick for him.
“He’s got a lovely home organised for him, where he will be hunting in Dorset and will be going there next week. Horses like him aren’t easy to find and he’s been amazing.”
Rich and Susannah Ricci’s horse will now have a happy retirement.
From finishing strongly in Gold Cups to winning back-to-back Peter Marsh and Betfair Chases, Royale Pagaille has done it all.
He’s even ran in an Aintree Grand National, showing his versatility over the years.
Winning seven of his 33 races under rules (10 in France), he racked up £604,308 in prize money.
WATCH: Royale Pagaille Wins 2022 Peter Marsh Chase
Horse Profile & Career Numbers
- Trainer: Venetia Williams
- Jockey: Charlie Deutsch
- Age: 12 (at retirement)
- Sire: Blue Bresil
- Dam: Royale Cazoumaille
- Owners: Rich & Susannah Ricci
- Career Runs: 33
- Career Wins: 7
- Top 3 Finishes: 16
- Grade 1 Wins: 2
- Career Prize Money: £604,308
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