It was a marathon not a sprint for trainer David Elsworth whose illustrious career has reached the finishing line.
Desert Orchid's handler bowed out after dedicating more than six decades to the sport.
Fondly known as 'Dessie', the all-time great's big race haul included four King Georges and the 1989 Cheltenham Gold Cup.
His epic battle with Yahoo, detailed by late commentating legend Sir Peter O'Sullevan, thrilled the Festival crowd.
Elsworth, 82, was also responsible for another fans' favourite, Persian Punch, a prolific stayer on the Flat.
Fittingly his final runner, Tropical Talent, carried the colours of the same owner Jeff Smith, when fourth at Kempton on November 24.
Retiring with a whole collection of good memories, the trainer said: “If you go to a party, there is a time to go home.
“I’m not upset or downhearted about anything. It is just time to move on. I’ve had a great time.”
Rhyme ‘N’ Reason, the 1988 winner of the Grand National and dual Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Barnbrook Again also scaled the heights over jumps for Elsworth.
On the Flat, In The Groove took the Irish 1,000 Guineas, Juddmonte International and Champion Stakes in 1990.
More recently, Arabian Queen was a shock Juddmonte International heroine in 2015.
Newmarket-based Elsworth focused on the Flat in the later stage of his career, after spending many years at Whitsbury in Hampshire.
His final winner on a record of excellence was Something Enticing, who struck at York on October 9.
“I started 67 years ago. I’ve started at the start and finished at the finish – I’ve gone through various stages of success and frustration like anyone else in any walk of life," he added.
“I’ve had a lot of fun and it has been very good to me.”
