Happy retirement Golden Hawk (1) (1)

BUY TICKETS

Shane Breen's five-star campaigner Golden Hawk was officially retired today at the Al Shira'aa Hickstead Derby Meeting.

The 18-year-old was ridden into the Longines International Arena, before his saddle was removed and a garland of carrots and apples was hung round his neck.

Golden Hawk joined the Breen Team as a six-year-old and went on to become a hugely consistent performer on the world stage. During his career the stallion made 41 World Cup appearances, and represented Team Ireland on 60 occasions. He jumped double clear in the five-star Nations Cup in La Baule in 2017 as well as helping the team to third in the five-star Nations Cup in Rome in 2016. He also finished fifth individually with Shane in the FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona in the same year.

But it was apt that he retired here at Hickstead, which has been the scene of so many of his career highlights. In 2019, he jumped a clear round in the Al Shira’aa Derby to finish third, and in 2022 he went one better when finishing second behind stablemate, Can Ya Makan. He also won the Derby Trial here in 2019.

Having been retired from top level sport, Golden Hawk will be kept busy with his breeding career, with many of his progeny following in their father's footsteps in the sport.