Friday, 30 July 2010: Nicky Henderson called 13-year-old Caracciola "very special" after it was announced that the stayer had run his last race in the Artemis Goodwood Cup on Thursday.
winner 15 times during his career on the Flat, over hurdles and fences, Caracciola's career highlight was achieved in 2008 when winning the Totesport.com Cesarewitch by three lengths.
He returned to take in both races again this year, finishing ninth at York and fourth at Ascot, and could only finish eighth of the nine runners in the Group 2 contest at Goodwood.
Trainer Nicky Henderson said: "I was pretty sure going into Ascot that we would probably be calling it a day but he ran such a good race that we decided to go again.
"He's loved it and he's been very special. He's done nine years with us and when you think what he's done over hurdles, fences, Flat, Listed races and Royal Ascot and it's only right we mustn't abuse him.
"Sarah Shreeve has looked after him all his life and Eddie Ahern (who rode him to victory in the Cesarewitch and at Royal Ascot) has always wanted to go hunting with him so he will be doing something along those lines."
