The 1999 Galway Plate winner Moscow Express has been retired following his lacklustre display in Sunday´s Munster National at Limerick where he trailed in last.
The versatile gelding won a total of twenty-six races in a career spanning over seven years.
He won his first start, a Bumper at Listowel in April 1996, when trained by Aidan O´Brien.
He was ridden by the then amateur Francis Crowley on that occasion and later became the flag-bearer of her training operation.
The 1999 Galway Plate was the highlight of his career, but he also recorded a memorable victory over Florida Pearl in the Powers Gold Label Tote Gold Cup (Grade 1) at Fairyhouse in 2001.
Many top jockey were associated with his career including: Charlie Swan, Adrian Maguire, Norman Williamson, Paul Carberry and Barry Geraghty, all of whom won races on him.
It was however Ruby Walsh that built up the closest bond with the horse, the pair winning a total of nine race together.
Moscow Express is now set to remain in Francis Crowley´s Curragh yard and act as a lead horse on the gallops.
