Earlier today, one of the greatest hurdlers in the history of jump racing was retired.

Willie Mullins' record-breaking 11-year-old Hurricane Fly won 22 Grade One races during an extraordinary career.

He won 24 of his 32 events over hurdles - including the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2011 and 2013.

Mullins joined us on Off The Ball tonight to pay tribute to the horse but also to explain why a decision was made to retire him.

"It was just a gut feeling. He's fine in himself. I've no doubt he's still good enough to win Grade Ones this year but the owners and myself discussed it and we thought he's given everyone a good time and we don't want to risk injuring him and we don't want to risk anything going wrong with him at this late stage," said Mullins.

But he also gave a real insight into why Hurricane Fly is so special as a performer.

"Even though he was gelded since he was four, he just retained all those characteristics which make him what he is. He's aggressive, he's brave and he has ability to go with that and that sums him up," he said.