Abby Rugg

ABOUT ME
Name: Abby Rugg
Journalism
Qualification: Gold Standard NCTJ Multi-Media Journalism Diploma. (Including 100 words-per-minute shorthand)
Employment: Worked at BBC Sport and Deltatre for London 2012.
Future Aim: To work in broadcast/production television.
Blog: Started in November 2011. Published on The Sports Investor and Value Horse Tips. Please comment on a post or follow me on Twitter.

Tuesday 6 December 2011

LOUGH DERG RETIRES FROM RACING

POPULAR hurdler Lough Derg ran his last race on Saturday (Dec 3rd) at Ascot.


Trainer David Pipe retired the 11-year-old following an encouraging comeback race at Exeter but his outing at Ascot told punters that it was time to leave the racing world behind. 


Lough Derg's career has spanned eight years, 61 races and 12 victories. 


It has now been revealed that the Grade One staying hurdle at Ascot a week Saturday will be known as the 'Lough Derg Long Walk Hurdle'.


Pipe writes on his website: "The tough as teak eleven year old, drew the admiration of countless National Hunt racing fans with his heart on his sleeve, never say die style of front running which yielded him success at Grade One level and earned connections almost £375,000 in prize money."


"There are too many highlights from his distinguished career to elaborate on here, however he would go on to finish runner-up in the 2006 Grade One Long Walk hurdle at his beloved Ascot  before going one place better the following year with a typically gallant front-running performance to defeat dual Champion Hurdler Hardy Eustace."

"It is perhaps his association with jockey Tom Scudamore for which he is best known, his performance prompting his partner to burst into tears after winning the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell for a second successive year in 2009.  It is this kind of emotion that has endeared Lough Derg to the public and I am sure that his legion of followers will be thrilled to hear that he ends his career sound, happy and in rude health, bucking and squealing."

Lough Derg Stats:  8 jockeys, 12 wins, 18 places, 61 races, 169 miles raced, £374, 512 prize money
A link to David Pipe's website

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