So You Think retired to stud
The Aidan O’Brien-trained six-year-old would have been aiming to land back-to-back renewals of the Group One contest over a mile and a quarter, which was due to be his final run before returning to his native Australia.
So You Think had been in outstanding form this season with consecutive Group One victories in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh and the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.
O’Brien told www.coolmore.com: “So You Think is an extraordinary horse and it was a real privilege to have had him here at Ballydoyle on loan from Australia.”
Formerly trained in Australia by the legendary Bart Cummings, for whom he won two Cox Plates, the giant So You Think moved to O'Brien's Tipperary base after Coolmore bought a controlling interest.
He was to add five Group One success to his CV under O’Brien’s care, to go with the five he claimed Down Under.
Coolmore’s Tom Magnier said: “It’s a big disappointment that he’ll miss the Eclipse, but he’s had a wonderful racing career and now it’s time for him to shine at stud.
“His book reads like a who’s who of all the best mares and breeders so he’ll get the best possible start.”
Frankie Dettori’s mount Farhh has been installed as favourite with the sponsors for the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown fter the defection of So You Think.
The Saeed bin Suroor-trained Farhh finished third behind So You Think in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, and was considered by many to be an unlucky loser as he met trouble in-running.
The Group One feature, which has attracted 10 runners, also sees the return to the track of Dante Stakes scorer Bonfire, who was disappointing in the Epsom Derby, and Godolphin’s Dubai World Cup winner Monterosso.
Monterosso’s trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni is also responsible for City Style.
Nathaniel, last season’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner, is in line to make his belated seasonal bow.
Trainer John Gosden has, however, warned the four-year-old colt will only run if the ground is suitable.
Twice Over, winner of the Eclipse two years ago, takes the plunge for the Sir Henry Cecil-Khalid Abdullah axis.
Abdullah’s silks will also be sported by the Roger Charlton-trained Cityscape, who was so impressive in the Dubai Duty Free at Meydan in March.
Eclipse regular Sri Putra has again been given the go-ahead by Roger Varian, along with the Brian Meehan-trained Cogito, even though connections had been concerned earlier by the possibility of testing ground.
Italian import Crackerjack King, the mount of Ryan Moore, is the curve-ball contender of the field as he has his first start for Newmarket-based handler Marco Botti.
Meanwhile, Michael Bell’s Set To Music is the star name among the nine declared fillies for tomorrow’s bet365 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock.
Winner of the Warwickshire Oaks last time out, the four-year-old has won five of her 12 races and was deemed unlucky by many when second to Shimmering Surf at this venue last month.
The two will meet again this weekend, with Roger Varian having booked Richard Hughes for the former Peter Winkworth trained five-year-old.
Mikel Delzangles, trainer of Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden, runs Aquamarine, a Group Three winner at Chantilly in April.
David Elsworth’s three-year-old Salford Art continues her quest for black type after a few near misses, most recently in the Ribblesdale.
Myplacelater, formerly trained by Elsworth, runs for Richard Fahey with John Gosden’s lightly-raced Great Heavens an interesting runner.
Ed Dunlop has booked Johnny Murtagh for Testosterone, a relatively new recruit. Mohedian Lady and Good Morning Star complete the field.
