HEWICK paid his final visit to the Hanlon yard in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, last Saturday, where plenty of his biggest fans turned out to wish the 11-year-old gelding a happy retirement.

Winner of 12 races, including a Galway Plate, Sandown Gold Cup, American Grand National and of course the King George VI Chase, Hewick was retired last month.

Bought for less than €1,000, Hewick generated headlines all over the world and gave racing priceless publicity.

His owner T.J. McDonald told HRI Owners: “It’s brilliant to see so many people come to see him, after all he’s done. It just goes to show how many people loved him. They want a photo with him and to say ‘hello’.

“When he started out we never dreamt of running in Grand Nationals or winning King Georges. But when he won the Galway Plate and Sandown Gold Cup it started to open up a few doors for us.

“The Galway Plate was special because I have been going there since I was 15 or 16, but the highlight was probably wining the King George. It’s such a famous race, with everyone watching at Christmas time.

“I’m a little bit sad it’s all over but happy to get him out in one piece. He gets to come home now and live a happy life.”

Asked what retirement will involve for Hewick, T.J. said: “Green grass and many years! He’s out with Skyace at the minute. She is in foal and they are well used to each other. She keeps manners on him.”