Dual Stayers’ Hurdle Hero Flooring Porter Retired After Injury Setback

Cheltenham Festival favourite Flooring Porter has been retired at the age of 11 after suffering a recurrence of an injury, bringing the curtain down on a career that will always be closely linked with Prestbury Park.

Trainer Gavin Cromwell confirmed the news on August 21, explaining that an ongoing problem had returned and that connections felt the time was right to call an end to his racing career.

The good news is that Flooring Porter is retiring in good health and will now return to his owners, who enjoyed some extraordinary days with him over the years.

Flooring Porter and Cheltenham Were a Perfect Match

For Cheltenham fans, Flooring Porter will always be remembered first and foremost for his two victories in the Stayers’ Hurdle.

His first came in 2021 when, under Danny Mullins, he made virtually all the running to beat Sire Du Berlais at odds of 12/1.

It was a brilliant performance, but there was one thing missing: the famous Cheltenham crowd.

The Festival was held behind closed doors that year due to Covid restrictions, meaning Flooring Porter's owners had to watch one of the biggest moments of their racing lives from afar.

Thankfully, they got another chance.

Flooring Porter returned in 2022 and did it all over again, this time as a 4/1 chance.

Once more, Mullins allowed him to roll along at the front, and once more his rivals could not get past him. Thyme Hill finished second as Flooring Porter became a back-to-back Stayers’ Hurdle winner.

Cromwell has since described that second victory as his personal highlight with the horse, largely because his owners were finally at Cheltenham to enjoy it.

He Kept Coming Back to Cheltenham

Flooring Porter's association with the Festival did not finish there.

He returned to defend his crown again in 2023, finishing fourth, before producing another huge performance in the 2024 Stayers’ Hurdle when second to Teahupoo.

By then, Flooring Porter was already firmly established as one of the most popular staying horses of his generation.

He even showed that Cheltenham suited him over fences.

In October 2023, he made his chasing debut at The Showcase meeting and immediately won the three-mile novice chase, beating Broadway Boy under Keith Donoghue.

It seemed entirely fitting that when Flooring Porter tried something new, Cheltenham was once again the place where he produced the goods.

From €6,000 Purchase to Cheltenham Star

His story becomes even better when you consider where it started.

Flooring Porter was reportedly bought for just €6,000 after being advertised on Facebook in 2018 by the group who became the Flooring Porter Syndicate.

He went on to win nine of his 33 starts and earn more than £780,000 in prize money.

Alongside his two Stayers’ Hurdle wins, his major victories included the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown and, later in his career, the Kerry National at Listowel in September 2024.

That Kerry National win proved to be the final victory of his career.

One Last Appearance at Cheltenham

After more than a year away from racing, Flooring Porter returned at Cheltenham in January 2026 for the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase.

It proved to be his final race.

He finished fourth behind Spillane's Tower, with L'Homme Presse second and Grey Dawning third.

There had been hope that Flooring Porter might still have more racing ahead of him, but the return of his injury ultimately made the decision for connections.

Cromwell said the horse remains “as bright as a button” and will now go back to the owners who have followed him throughout his career.

For Cheltenham racegoers, there will be plenty of memories.

Flooring Porter was tough, quirky and wonderfully effective around Prestbury Park. Most importantly, he was the sort of horse people wanted to cheer for.

Two Stayers’ Hurdles, another Festival second, a Festival fourth and a winning chase debut at the track represent quite a Cheltenham record.

And now, after giving his owners and racing fans so many memorable days, Flooring Porter has certainly earned a long and happy retirement.