I’m pretty much done for the flat season now and looking to the jumpers. Mon Michel was down to run tomorrow, but he doesn’t stand his ground after working moderately midweek – we think he’s ok but just needs a little more time. My first runner of the jumps season proper will probably be Ours at Chepstow on Wednesday, and he could show up well.
The two runners I may campaign through the winter are Shepherd’s Warning and Lilac Moon. Both our down to run at Kempton on Wednesday night and both are intended starters at this stage.
I was shocked to read today that Dark Angel is being retired to stud despite being perfectly sound. I’m told that the race to win from a breeding perspective is the Middle Park, and he won it, but it was a very weak renewal – he got a far lower RPR for that win than Winker got for his G2 win in the July Stakes. Subsequently he was 25/1 for the Dewhurst and trailed in 9th of 10.
The horse is very decent but doesn’t appear to be a world beater, and his connections seem to be taking the view that a 3yo campaign is unlikely to enhance his value. I expect that they are right, but it’s a sad state of affairs. It suggests that the bloodstock industry is populated with naive types who will be suckered by the G1 win and are unable to comprehend the fact that it was a significantly below par renewal.
Oh well – it won’t do Winker any harm as he gave him weight and a good beating in the July Stakes. Perhaps we should retire him to stud – now there’s a thought…