WILLIE Mullins has called time on the racing career of last year’s Champion Hurdle winner Annie Power.

One of the finest mares to race over jumps in recent times, the nine-year-old mare is already in-foal to Camelot, and missed this season with niggling injuries and setbacks.

"I discussed things with her owners over the weekend and we decided we were happy to let her retire and that we would not be sending her to France," Mullins revealed today.

"She's in foal to Camelot and doesn't owe anyone anything. She retires with an outstanding record, winning all but two of her 17 races. She was a very special racemare and gave us many memorable days. Her Stan James Champion Hurdle win last year was definitely one of the highlights of my career as a trainer."

"She might have achieved a higher figure at Aintree, and in beating My Tent Or Yours so much easier there you could argue that was her best display, but just with everything that goes with Cheltenham I'd have been disappointed if we didn't win one with her.

"At the beginning I bought her for fences, believe it or not, so if I've one regret it's that we never saw her jump a fence because I think she'd have been brilliant."

Annie Power and Ruby Walsh winning at Aintree

She raced over five season beginning when she was ridden by Patrick Mullins when successful in her first two bumpers at Galway and Wexford for her owner-breeder Eamon Cleary when trained by Jim Bolger in 2012.

The daughter of Shirocco was then moved to Willie Mullins when bought by Rich Ricci ahead of the Listowel festival in 2012.

Unbeaten in 10 races up to March 2014, she endured mixed luck at the Cheltenham Festival. She was just beaten in an epic tussle with More Of That in the Stayers' Hurdle that year.

The following year she was the Irish banker on the Tuesday when attempting to emulate Quevega by landing the OLBG Mares' Hurdle and complete an Irish first day short-priced four timer after Douvan, Un De Sceaux and Faugheen.

She was reported to have saved bookmakers over €50 million in accumulators when she crashed out at the final flight under Ruby Walsh with the race at her mercy.

Annie Power crashes out at Cheltenham in 2015

A year later, she took up the Mullins' Champion Hurdle challenge after Faugheen was ruled out through injury.

With Ruby Walsh in control, she did not disappoint, with a decisive performance which reduced owner Rich Ricci to tears. She went on to follow up at Aintree in the Grade 1 Hurdle.

The first mare to win the championship event since Flakey Dove in 1994, Annie Power was undoubtedly the best National Hunt mare since Dawn Run.

Annie Power. Retired aged nine in-foal to Camelot. 15 wins - 5 Grade 1s.

Record: 1111111/1112/1F/1111.

TWITTER TRIBUTES

Nick Luck @nickluck

Annie Power retires - one of the best of her sex. Might have won 3 CHs in different circs. Could easily produce Pattern Class flat horses.

Luke Parkinson @lukeparky2

One of the most iconic horses of a generation. In both victory and defeat #AnniePower

AIRO @AIRO_Owner

Happy retirement to a super racemare. Congratulations to her owners Rich and Susannah Ricci on a wonderful career. #AnniePower

Paul Woloszyn @PaulWoloszyn

The right decision. What a legend she's been.

Jennifer Louise @Jenny4Rollins

Annie Power happy retirement and thanks for the memories :)

Andy Stephens@StevoGG

Love watching wave of punters in the crowd cheering Annie Power home this day. [2016] Such a difference to the united groan of 12 months earlier.