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Connections of Battaash have decided to retire the horse. Happy retirement Bats, you deserve a nice long happy rest
.Pleased to hear this, especially after the ITV team going on about how he ought to have one last race. He obviously isn’t as good this year and well done to connections. I am sure he was one of Sheikh Hamdan’s all-time favourites and it would be so horrible if something happened to him. I’m sure he’ll have a great retirement.
Wonder what a wired energetic lunatic like Battaash would actually enjoy doing in retirement?
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A little surprised they didn’t decide to bow out in the Nunthorpe – his first run back at Ascot was good albeit slighty in need of the run and yesterday I think you could put a line through as the softish ground blunts his speed (although he travelled just as well in the earlier stages to suggest he still has it).
5f at York on quick ground would be his ideal conditions and would be a true indication as to whether he is now past his best – being a gelding as well you really don’t have anything to lose but assume connections have seen something to indicate this decision is best for the horse so fair play to them in that regard…..he owes nothing to anyone.
Happy retirement!
Wonder what a wired energetic lunatic like Battaash would actually enjoy doing in retirement?
It’s been notable that he is no longer like that, in fact there were several comments about how quiet and relaxed he was at Goodwood and I think it was the same at Ascot. I am guessing that this is a factor in the decision and they are getting the impression that he’s had enough.
No better trainer of sprinters than Charlie Hills. Battaash can settle now and loves front running… Could spend some happy times leading the young sprinters up the gallops.
Had some good on course chats with Battaash’s long time groom Big Bob, who played a big part in the horse’s success. Horse of a lifetime. Like many sprinters Battaash wasn’t consistent but at his best this was a truly exceptional horse.
Yes, he travelled well for a while today, but beaten some way out. Ground conditions shouldn’t be an excuse either – firmer (faster) conditions suited best but has some top class Group 1 winning form on good-soft too. Well below even that form here.
I know some analysts said beforehand 2/1 was a bloody good price because nothing else in the race had shown anything like Battaash’s brilliant level of form. However, had connections known he was at that brilliant best there’d have been no way they’d allow Battaash to go off at 2/1. Therefore mere fact 2/1 was available meant in reality he was never going to show that exceptional form.
Battaash has had an injury and sadly (as often the case) the horse is not as good as he was. Connections rightly let him have one more go at his favourite Goodwood – to give him one last chance – just in case. But if he can’t do it there he won’t do it anywhere.
Right decision to retire.
Happy retirement Battaash.
Value Is EverythingMuhaarar and Battaash.
Has there been another trainer who’s produced not one but two exceptional sprinters in the last 7 years?
Value Is EverythingPaul Midgely or Robert Cowell, to name two, achieve far more than silver-spoon Charlie, given the base material.
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LOL.
Inverted snobbery is just as bad as snobbery.
Charlie may well have had an advantage from taking over from his father, but still had to show he can produce top class horses or otherwise lose the patronage.
Paul Midgely and Robert Cowell – just like many others – may or may not be capable of producing two exceptional sprinters if they “had the base material”. But fact is they have not had that material and so we don’t know what they’d have done. Possibly brilliant but equally possible… nothing.
Trainers can not be judged on ifs. However, Midgeley and Cowell have been going many many years now. Had they done better with the horses they’ve trained… would probably have been given better horses to train / attracted bigger owners.
Value Is Everything“Has there been another trainer who’s produced not one but two exceptional sprinters in the last 7 years?”
Clive Cox?
He wasn’t as good as Dayjur, but on his sat he was the best at 5f for some years.
He was more then capable of throwing in the odd inexcusable lousy run, though, even over the easier 5f tracks that suited him best.
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