Jockey Denis O'Regan counts himself fortunate to have played his part in the epic story of Inglis Drever, who has been retired.

Time has been called on the 10-year-old's star-spangled career after he failed to recover from an injury sustained in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury in November.

Trainer Howard Johnson and owner Graham Wylie hoped the triple Ladbrokes World Hurdle winner had recovered from that setback after receiving positive X-ray results earlier this month.

But a disappointing workout at the weekend convinced connections to abandon plans to send Inglis Drever back to the Cheltenham Festival, and the decision was then taken to retire him.

O'Regan partnered Inglis Drever to the biggest victory of his riding career when the pair claimed last year's World Hurdle.

For that the case, the rider will always be grateful.

O'Regan said: "I'm just lucky to have been involved in one part of his success.

"It was a great day when I won on him at Cheltenham.

"I'm pleased he's going to have his retirement.

"It's good that he's got out in one piece, that's the main thing. It was just great to be part of it and I definitely won't ride many as good as him."

Inglis Drever's indomitable spirit and appetite for a scrap made him one of the most popular National Hunt horses in training.

The brilliant gelding signed off with 17 wins – 12 of which came at Graded level – from 35 starts and amassed nearly £800,000 in prize-money.

He will now retire to Wylie's Chesters Stud at Humshaugh, Hexham.

Wylie said: "We decided on Saturday that he wasn't really interested in his racing any more.

"We always knew that he would tell us when he wanted to be retired. That day has now come. Howard says to let him chill out for a bit and he'll have a box next to one of our broodmares.

"I'm sure he'll have a long and happy retirement."

Johnson added: "I think I've done the right thing for the public and everybody.

"I didn't want to go to Cheltenham against younger horses and either be pulled up or get beat 20 lengths – that wasn't for me."

Inglis Drever began his career on the Flat for Sir Mark Prescott, for whom he won four races. He was transferred to Johnson's yard in 2003 and made a winning debut for his new team.

Although the star hurdler will be best remembered for his exploits at Cheltenham, he also won the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury three times (2005-07) – in addition to big-race triumphs at Sandown, Warwick, Wincanton, Haydock and Wetherby.