Racing Post.....
Retired Ballycassidy was 'credit to his trainer'
by Neil Morrice
CONNECTIONS of Ballycassidy have paid tribute to the 12-year-old, who has been retired after a career in which he amassed close to £300,000 and landed the Summer Plate at Market Rasen and the Channel 4 Trophy for Peter Bowen.
Also a runner in three Grand Nationals at Aintree, Ballycassidy is to spendhis retirement at trainer Peter Bowen's Haverfordwest stables after failing to show his old sparkle when last to finish in the veterans' race at Newbury on Saturday.
Roddy Owen, one of Ballycassidy's owners, referred to him as “a credit to his trainerand one who gave his owners fantastic pleasure over several years”.
Owen said: “He was absolutely fantastic from the day we bought him and followed a string of novice chase wins with a cracking second to Strong Flow in the Feltham Chase at Kempton.
“He ran in three Grand Nationals and put in some exhilarating jumps, especially the year he came down at Valentine's when he turned a somersault with Leighton Aspell on board. When Denis O'Regan rode him the following year the horse turned left at the Canal Turn while Denis went straight on.”
Owen added: “Peter's son Micky is very fond of him and I hope he'll ride him as a hack.”
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