TRUE to his word, top British event rider William Fox-Pitt, who finished 12th overall at the Rio Olympics, announced the retirement of his Rio mount and former Badminton winner Chilli Morning.

The great 16-year-old stallion will now enjoy a stud career. Demand is sure to be strong as Chilli Morning is the only stallion to win Badminton.

Fox-Pitt had said prior to Rio that it would almost certainly be the last event for Chilli Morning, owned by Chris and Lisa Stone.

The attractive 17hh chesnut (Phantomic x Koralle (Kolibri)) arrived back home safely from Rio on Monday.

From 45 international starts, Chilli Morning has finished in the top 10 a total of 23 times and is one of only two stallions to ever win a four-star event. Nick Gauntlett took him to four-star level, Chilli Morning was then briefly campaigned by Mary King who passed the ride to William Fox-Pitt in a decision that saw the gelling together of one of the greatest partnerships ever seen in eventing.

As a combination, Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning represented Team GB in 2013, 2014 and 2016. They enjoyed triumphs at Bramham CCI*** in 2012 and 2013, also winning European individual bronze that year and capturing world individual silver and team bronze in 2014.

In May 2015, Chilli Morning carried Fox-Pitt to victory at Badminton CCI***.

In October that year, the rider suffered a life-threatening fall from Reinstated while competing at Le Lion d’Angers in France. However, he made a great recovery and returned to competitive riding at Tattersalls International in June, scoring a double win to land his 10th victory at the Co Meath venue.