A Champion for the Ages – Explosion W Retires

Today, the sport bids farewell to one of the most extraordinary horses ever to grace the Longines Global Champions Tour arena. Explosion W officially retires, closing the chapter on a career that did more than collect trophies – it redefined what sustained excellence at the very highest level looks like.

Partnered with Ben Maher, Explosion W became a cornerstone of modern LGCT history. Together, they built a legacy measured not just in victories, but in consistency, resilience and record-breaking performance across seasons, venues and championship moments.

Their numbers alone tell a remarkable story. A record twelve Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix podiums – eight of them victories – place Explosion W in a league of his own. Across multiple seasons, on some of the most demanding stages in the world, he delivered time and again when it mattered most.

The partnership reached its defining peak during Ben Maher’s back-to-back LGCT Championship titles in 2018 and 2019, with Explosion W the unwavering force behind the campaign. In 2018, the pair claimed Grand Prix victories in Madrid, Doha and Rome – with Doha and Rome coming back-to-back, a statement of dominance on the Tour.

They returned in 2019 with even greater authority. Four LGCT Grand Prix wins followed, including a second consecutive triumph in Rome, alongside an extraordinary run of three back-to-back podium finishes in London, New York and Prague. It was a season that showcased not only brilliance, but a partnership operating in perfect harmony.

Explosion W’s impact extended beyond individual LGCT Grand Prix success. The pair placed inside the top six of the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix three times in three consecutive years – an achievement that underlined their consistency at the very pinnacle of the sport. In 2019, they reached the ultimate summit, claiming the LGCT Super Grand Prix title. Even as competition intensified, they continued to shine – finishing third in 2021 behind Henrik von Eckermann with King Edward and Sergio Álvarez Moya aboard Alamo.

Beyond the medals and milestones, Explosion W will be remembered for his presence. His power, his intelligence, his calm under pressure – and the quiet understanding he shared with his rider.

As Explosion W steps away from the arena, his legacy is secure. Not only as a champion, but as a horse who helped shape an era of the Longines Global Champions Tour – and whose name will forever sit among the greats.