The news came on the final day of eventing competition at the Rio Olympics (9 August) that Chilli Morning is to retire to stud and we will not see him competing again.
His long-term rider William Fox-Pitt said at the time: “I think that’ll be the last time I ride him. It’s tempting because he’s well and sound to have another go, but he’s given me so much.”
16-year-old Chilli Morning is the greatest eventing stallion in the history of the sport. From his 45 international eventing starts, he has finished in the top 10 no less then 23 times and is one of only two stallions to win a four-star event.
Owned by Chris Stone and his wife Lisa, Chilli started his competitive life with Nick Gauntlett who produced the horse up to four-star level with great success.
Nick’s notable results with Chilli include:
- Winning Longleat CIC2* in 2008
- Fourth in the CIC2* at Barbury in 2008
- Winner of the CCI2* at Weston Park in 2008
- 10th at Blenheim CCI3* in 2009
- Winner of the CIC3* at Houghton Hall in 2010
- Jumped clear across country at Burghley in 2011
Chilli then went on to spend a short time with Mary King before the ride was passed onto William as Mary found him too strong.
Horse & Hound‘s Pippa Roome noted that William and Chilli “have been Britain’s best performers at the annual senior championship on every occasion they have been on the team — in 2013, 2014 and 2016.”
William’s notable results with Chilli include:
- Winner of the CCI3* at Bramham in 2012 and 2013
- Fifth in the CCI4* at Pau in 2012
- European individual bronze medallist in 2013
- Winner of the CIC3* at Bramham in 2014
- World individual bronze and team silver medallist in 2014
- Won Badminton in 2015
- 12th at the Rio Olympics