Diamond Jubilee Stakes

(Group 1)

THEY say you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone, but that’s not entirely true with Blue Point, who gave us a little while to enjoy his achievement in winning two Group 1 sprints in the space of four days before his immediate retirement was announced on Monday.

It was clear from his defeat of Battaash in Tuesday’s King’s Stand that he was the best horse in the Diamond Jubilee, but backing up so quickly isn’t easy, which explains why only Choisir has achieved the feat since the latter contest was granted Group 1 status.

Once again James Doyle deputised for the injured William Buick, and with Kachy setting a scorching pace which few could live with, it appeared that the double would be a formality, as Blue Point was swinging away behind the leader and clearly full of running.

Kicked into the lead with a furlong left, he soon had Kachy beaten, and left connections celebrating early, but it’s never over until it’s over here – as the late Greville Starkey and Ile de Chypre would attest – and the stiff finish saw the winner’s momentum checked as Dream Of Dreams and Danny Tudhope began to fly having made their move from the rear of the field, and the result was in doubt until the final stride.

In the end, Blue Point had a diminishing head to spare over Sir Michael Stoute’s flashy chesnut, with Kachy holding on for a place. Le Brivido, another turning out for the second time at the meeting, was a creditable fifth, just behind Joseph O’Brien’s Speak In Colours.

Sheikh Mohammed hinted straight after the race that retirement beckoned for Blue Point as he paid tribute to his star:

Godolphin’s owner Sheikh Mohammed: “Blue Point is a very good horse. After he won on the first day, we said we would bring him back and see. For me, it was an easy decision because he is going to stud. I thought he was marvellous today. Good horses always give you great pleasure.”

Dream Of Dreams, described as “calmer, and saving his energy” by Sir Michael, will head for the July Cup, with his trainer announcing himself “a big fan” of rider Danny Tudhope, and it’s unlikely that the jockey will be commuting to and from Yorkshire during next year’s Royal Meeting.