A QUOTE from a TDN piece by Chris McGrath with Seamie Heffernan on his Breeders’ Cup winning partner Highland Reel. “Of all the brilliant racehorses that go to stud, how many have shown themselves so sound, so tough, so straightforward? He doesn’t know when to give up, and if you know a stallion can put those traits into good mares then you’ve something that’s going to come through.”
You have to say hear, hear. It comes alongside a Racing Post letter by Peter Stanley, manager of New England and Stanley House Studs in Newmarket highlighting the increasing loss of stamina in breeding as Champs Elysees and Mount Nelson move here to stand as dual-purpose stallions.
Coolmore have generally given middle-distance stallions a fair shot at breeding success and you hope a horse with such admirable qualities is given support.
During a period of two-year-olds increasingly being retired to stud and this year’s Derby winner Harzand standing for €15,000 in comparison to two-year-old six-furlong winners Mehmas at €12,500 and The Last Lion at €12,000, a proven Group 1 performer like Highland Reel should be the horse we want to replicate.
Next new NH sire?
IT’S been a trend over the last NH seasons that everything Willie Mullins does others follow. The champion trainer and those who scout for him in France were responsible for establishing Walk In The Park as a National Hunt sire by virtue of Cheltenham winners Douvan and Min. The performance of Closutton stars can set the trend on the track and at stud. With Montjeu stallions now in fashion as NH sires, one who may become of interest in the next year is Davidoff, who stands at the Haras de la Kammerholz for just €1,500.
A German-bred son of Montjeu, if impressive Naas winner Saturnas goes on to better things, he could be making a trip overseas.
Mullins machine
DESPITE Gordon Elliott’s notable feat of chalking up 100 winners by mid-November, the prize money totals yesterday stood at Gordon Elliott €1,62,8,475, Willie Mullins €1,152,750.
Willie Mullins is still only €475,725 behind and without unleashing any of his big guns or potential novice hurdle stars.
No need to be contemplating his dethronement for some time yet.
Lizzie Christmas?
IN races where riders have a different level of experience, it often pays to just back the best jockey. Punters missed a trick letting the Rachael Blackmore-ridden Smadynium go off at 10/1 in the ladies race at Fairyhouse, given Shark Hanlon’s charge had the top lady rider on board.
Looking ahead, the same mistake could be repeated in the King George. To be ridden by Lizzie Kelly, Tea For Two has the King George as his target, for which he is best priced at 25/1. This is his race just as he was targeted at the Grade 1 novice last year. His comeback run at Ascot behind Antony was good as he was very free early. With some off those ahead of him in the betting not certain to run, at 25/1 he is worth an each-way wager.
Expensive to follow
WHAT do the Aidan O’Brien-trained Taj Mahal on the flat and the Willie Mullins-trained Some Neck in bumpers have in common? They must be two of the most expensive horses of the year for punters. Taj Mahal was a five-time beaten favourite at odds of 10/11, 15/8, 1/1, 7/4, 9/4 before he finally justified favouritism. Some Neck was also sent off favourite five times and beaten at 7/4, 4/5, 11/10, 2/1, 9/10.
ON TWITTER
Nicky Henderson@sevenbarrows
Overwhelmed with all your tweets & emails paying tribute to Sprinter & Simon. A tough weekend but your wishes are so uplifting. Thank you.
BarryJGeraghty @BarryJGeraghty
It was great to see Sprinter retire in good shape he was something special but it was a very sad day to lose Simonsig an unbelievable talent
Ben Pauling Racing @benpauling1
Thoughts with @sevenbarrows #simonsig was a true great with enormous ability and one of the best I will ever work with #staystrong
Emmet Kennedy @RadioEmmet
Horse Racing is a great sport that brings so much joy. But this has been an awful few weeks for the sport. Sorry for connections #Simonsig
Andrew McNamara @Mr_Andy_Mc
Happy retirement to #SprinterSacre. His Champion Chase win in ‘13 was the best performance I’ve ever seen.
Claire @XxLadyClaireXx
He was brilliant. Breathtaking to watch. But at least he bows out in one piece. He deserves his retirement. He was a superstar.
Simon sanders @simonsanders1
My God a grown man in tears about a horse! Thank you, he has been my world for the last 4 yrs, simply the greatest #Sprinter
Danny hammonds @1dannyhammo
3 horses stand out for me being the greatest of this generation, kauto star, frankel, and sacre, happy retirement sprinter!