Injury ends Cape Blanco’s career
The-four-year-old colt, trained by Aidan O’Brien, just held Dean’s Kitten by a nose in the Joe Hirsch Classic Invitational.
Aidan O’Brien’s charge was completing a hat-trick of Grade One victories in the United States, having previously won the Arlington Million and the Man o’War Stakes, and was considered a major player for the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
O’Brien said: “Cape Blanco is an extremely talented and courageous horse with a tremendous attitude to his racing so we will all be very sad to see him leave Ballydoyle.
“The fact that he never once changed leads in the home straight in spite of his injury just goes to prove what a brave horse he is.”
The son of Galileo won nine of his 15 races and amassed prize-money totalling more than £2.5million.
He had been ridden by Jamie Spencer in all his six starts this year after the jockey’s main patrons, Jim and Fitri Hay, bought a share in the horse from Derrick Smith, Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor.
He had not raced in Europe since finishing down the field behind Canford Cliffs over a mile in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
However, his victories over middle-distance did include the Irish Derby and Irish Champion Stakes and he defeated Workforce in the Dante Stakes at York last year.
O’Brien added: “It is very disappointing for all the partners, especially the Hays, as we were very much looking forward to the Breeders’ Cup.”
O’Brien meanwhile is responsible for the six of the 16 five-day entries for Saturday’s Dubai Dewhurst Stakes as he seeks to win the seven-furlong race for a third time.
Successful with Rock of Gibraltar (2001) and Beethoven (2009) O'Brien has a strong team headed by National Stakes victor Power and recent Royal Lodge Stakes winner Daddy Long Legs.
Reply, David Livingston, Nephrite and Tibet complete his list of possible runners at Newmarket.
Power, Reply, Nephrite and George Margarson’s Rebellious Guest have also been left in the six-furlong Middle Park Stakes on the same card.
Spiritual Star, trained by Andrew Balding, was the sole supplementary entry at the confirmation stage.
The Soviet Star colt looked good when opening his account by six lengths in a maiden over the course and distance last month.
Jim Bolger landed a hat-trick of successes in this race with Teofilo, New Approach and Intense Focus from 2006 to 2008 and looks to Parish Hall this time.
Richard Hannon has surprisingly not won this race but looks to have two decent prospects in the unbeaten Bronterre and Champagne Stakes winner Trumpet Major.
A top-quality entry is completed by Ektihaam, Factory Time, Fencing, Most Improved and Red Duke.
O’Brien’s four-time winner Power features among 18 remaining entries for the Emaar Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, also on Saturday.
The teak-tough juvenile completed a hat-trick in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and although he suffered defeat in the Phoenix Stakes next time, the colt was back in the winning groove in last month’s National Stakes.
The son of Oasis Dream heads a team of four entries for Ballydoyle, with Doncaster sales race winner Reply, impressive debut scorer Nephrite and Crusade also in the mix.
With Richard Hannon’s Harbour Watch an expected absentee following a setback, the champion trainer has supplemented decent juvenile Lilbourne Lad.
Other major players for the home team include Norfolk Stakes winner Bapak Chinta and consistent performer Caspar Netscher, winner of the Gimcrack and the Mill Reef Stakes.
Connections of Workforce are keen to let the dust settle before considering the colt’s future following a disappointing defence of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Last year’s Derby and Arc hero had something to prove after failing to run up to his best in the King George at Ascot for the second year running, but he was unable to bounce back, trailing home 12th of the 16 runners.
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner Khalid Abdullah, said yesterday: “He’s fine this morning, but it wasn’t his day. He had a bit of a bumpy run and it didn’t go well for him. I suppose the ground might have been a bit too fast for him as well.
“We’ll just see how he is and I’ll sit down with Sir Michael (Stoute, trainer) and we’ll consider his future. No decisions have been made yet.”
