Ballabriggs retiring back to the Isle of Man

One of the island’s biggest sporting icons is returning home for retirement following a record-breaking career.

The 2011 Grand National winner Ballabriggs was retired by owner Trevor Hemmings last week after pulling up in the Aintree race.

The 12-year-old is one of the most successful names of the past decade in horse racing, winning more than £600,000 in prize money.

He and stablemate Cloudy Lane will now spend their days at Ballaseyr Stud in Andreas.

Their trainer Donald McCain said he couldn’t be prouder of the horses’ careers, and ranks Ballabriggs’s National win as one of the highlights of his life.