CAPTAIN Cee Bee winner of the 2008 Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham has been retired to owner J P McManus's Martinstown Stud Co Limerick.

Trained by Eddie Harty, the veteran performer won 13 races from 36 starts. The versatile son of Germany won a bumper, two flat races, six hurdle races and four over the timber.

His wins included victories in Tipperary's Grade 2 Istabraq Hurdle.

Harty said: "Only last month Captain Cee Bee had been showing all his old ability on the Curragh gallops and we were planning to soldier on with him. However, we felt last week that he had lost his sparkle and the decision was made to retire him.

"He's gone home to Martinstown in good health and we're all going to miss him a lot. We've had him since he was a foal and he was very much part of the family. We'll be very lucky if we find another one like him."

Named after Harty's grandfather, Capt Cyril B Harty, he was bought as a foal by his trainer's father, Eddie, at Goffs for €4,500 in December 2001.