CASPIAN PRINCE: 3-time “Dash” hero retired

Epsom Dash hat-trick king Caspian Prince has been described as “amazing” by Mick Appleby after his retirement last week aged 12.

The son of Dylan Thomas recorded a remarkable trio of triumphs in the five-furlong sprint on Derby Day between 2014 and 2017, for separate trainers Tony Carroll, Dean Ivory and Tony Coyle on each occasion, respectively.

He also took the Westminster Handicap at the Spring Meeting.

But he saw out the remaining days of his training under the care of Mick Appleby, winning two of his final three starts and finishing his 101-race career with a total of 20 successes.

Appleby told the Racing Post: “He’s had quite a career and an old injury flared up again after his last run, so we wanted to retire him in one piece.

“He’s a real favourite and it’s sad to see him finish his racing days. He broke two-course records in his last two years of racing, which is some going for a horse his age.

“His wins in the big sprint at Musselburgh and the Gosforth Park Cup were two of the best days out we had with him – he won the Dash three times before coming to us, then each time we took him down there the ground went against us.

“He’s an amazing horse, been a great servant and deserves a happy retirement.”