NESTOR HAS RUN HIS FINAL RACE
Ian Fortune
One of the great stalwarts of the track scene over the past three years, Gortkelly Nestor, has been retired less than a month before his fifth birthday.
James Murray, son of his owner/ trainer Andy Murray announced the news on social media on Sunday, ending a wonderful career just one race shy of start number eighty.
Of course, he will be best remembered for twice reaching the Boylesports Derby semi-finals in 2021 and 2022. He went agonisingly close to making a Derby final, finishing just one spot out of the qualifying spots in both years.
He began his career some three and a half years ago in March 2020 and it wasn’t immediately evident he was going to turn out to be such a high-class performer. In fact, it took him nine starts to finally open his account, some six months after his debut.
That first success just so happened to come in the opening round of the JAG Building Services & KGOBA A1 Derby at Kilkenny. And it really did open the floodgates. He went on to win his second-round assignment in a brilliant 28.75 before safely negotiating the semi-finals to make his first final.
And it was to be his biggest payday. An even money favourite in the decider, he was prominent throughout before charging to the front in the latter stages for a near two length success in 28.89, collecting a whopping €10,000 in the process.
He was lightly raced through the remainder of 2020 but returned in 2021, producing some big runs including a 28.53 success in a mini-open competition at Shelbourne Park. He was in fine form in late April and May as evident by a massive 29.62 run for 550yds.
After a break he returned for a crack at the Derby and proceeded to make the first of his two semi-final appearances, finishing just a length out of the frame. He then reached the third round of the Leger before going on to win the Consolation final. He ended 2021 on a high, winning an AAO 550 at Shelbourne in 29.67.
It was more of the same in 2022. After a lightly raced campaign in the opening half of the year, he again targeted the Derby and it was a case of déjà vu as he again reached the semis only to lose out on a place in the decider by a length.
He returned earlier this year and made it to the McCalmont Cup final at Kilkenny, while winning a couple of races at Shelbourne Park and Limerick but, after finishing out of the frame in his last two starts, the decision has been made to hang up his lead.
James Murray said of their star on Instagram, accompanied with a couple of pictures, “Time for retirement for this legend. What a journey Nestor has taken us on fir the last few years.”
Indeed, it has been an incredible journey for the Murray family. Gortkelly Nestor may not have been a classic winner but he gave his all every time he stepped foot on the track, provided huge enjoyment to his many fans and we wish him a long and healthy retirement.