- This topic has 16 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 3 months ago by
.
-
Posts
-
Canford Cliffs has been retired to stud after sustaining an injury in last weeks Sussex Stakes.
Explains why he did not run to his best!!!
Excuse me if the old cynic in me raises his ugly head again. So, it has taken the Hannon team nearly one week to establish that Canford Cliffs incurred an injury during the Sussex Stakes ? Hmmm !
I find this all too convenient. Maybe a horse called Frankel has helped make up their minds on the retirement front.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
Has team Hannon done anything like this before? I ask because I don’t see how they could benefit from such a move. There are still chances available for him to finish closer to Frankel as well as win Group 1s abroad. Besides, he has nothing to prove so it’s not like another 2nd will damage his stud value.
Interesting theory but I’m keeping my wallet in my pocket with this one
A shame but I’m glad he got out in one piece and hope that he enjoys a long and happy retirement.
Another cynic here! I think Hannon has been less than gracious in defeat all through this. On Frankel’s previous runs I always thought he was there to be beaten, especially by a horse like Canford Cliffs. But Frankel’s run in the Sussex was special, it was beautiful to watch. And Hannon barely acknowledged that.
It does seem to have taken them quite a while to find this injury. You’re probably right – I doubt it will affect the stud fees for Canford Cliffs that much but it probably will somewhat. They have tried to "protect" CC’s record and got him into stud earlier than expected. A good time to cash in I think. Especially as next year his record would likely involve another defeat to Frankel. Equally, with the possibility that Frankel will carry on as a 4 year-old CC can make hay before Frankel arrives on the stud scene!
Canford Cliffs has been retired to stud after sustaining an injury in last weeks Sussex Stakes.
Explains why he did not run to his best!!!
That would explain why he didn’t serve it up to the talking horse. I was looking forward to seeing an in-form CC drubb Frankel in the QEII too
Actually he isn’t injured at all – the statement says that a scan has detected a ‘shadow’ which might lead to an injury if he was raced again.
Hannon reports the horse is perfectly sound and could continue in training, but they don’t want to take the risk.
The fact that he’s already committed to go to Coolmore has presumably also influenced the decision.
AP
His beating of Goldikova at Royal Ascot will live long in the memory for me.
Here’s hoping he has a successful career at stud.
Blackbeard to conquer the World
Sad news of Canford Cliffs retirement. Not exactly a surprise though. His running a little below form and (more’s to the point) hanging across the course.
One of my favourites of recent years, despite going against him in the Sussex and backing ante-post for the 2000 immediately after an impressive Coventry. An electrifiying turn of foot typified five Group 1’s. Form of the Queen Anne perhaps Canford Cliffs best and Richard Hannon’s best too.
The Everleigh / Collingbourne teams deserve plenty of credit for getting Canford Cliffs to settle. Early on in the three year old campaign it seemed odds-on he’d fail at a mile.
These injuries (or things that might lead to an injury) do sometimes take time to come to light. Can see it might look convenient (must admit to some doubts myself). But if they had him in A1 condition (with Frankel not going) a second meeting with Goldikova would probably see the same result as the first.
Most form students recognise CC did not run to form in the Sussex. Beat Rio De La Plata by 2 1/2 lengths there, as apposed to 5 lengths at Ascot. And that does not lessen Frankel’s form either. As Frankel’s been judged on the 7 1/2 lengths back to Rio De La Plata, not the 5 back to Canford Cliffs.
Value Is Everythingcome on guys n gals stop having a go at candford cliffs he was a very good horse.ok he may not be better than frankel but who cares he was a good horse.
THIS IS ABOUT CANDFORD CLIFFS NOT FRANKEL!!!!!We should have seen this coming. This reeks of the Coolmore media machine.
In the build up to the Sussex, Hannon, Hannon Jnr and Richard Hughes to a man had nothing but praise for the horse, saying how well he was, scoped clean, in perfect physical condition etc.etc. Now a full week after the defeat he turns out to have been carrying a (suspected) injury all along.
I think it’s more a case of not wanting another demoralizing defeat on his C.V. And that, no matter what you say would have an effect on stud/yearling valuations. As things stand now, they have a champion miler, a winner of 5 consecutive Group 1 races with the convenient excuse he was injured when defeated in the Sussex, planting that seed of doubt about the relative merits of he and Frankel. Alas if he were to be beaten in a similar fashion again by Frankel, we would have the memory of a good miler but one that was vastly inferior to the best. Anyone remember Sallust? probably 2nd best miler around same time as the Brig.
It’s also an opportunity to get the best mares this next breeding season, because the leading ladies will only have eyes for Frankel a year later.
Anyone remember Sallust? probably 2nd best miler around same time as the Brig.
I kind of agree. Anyone remember Linden Tree? My Swallow? Plenty remember Mill Reef though.
But it doesn’t detract in any way from the fact that CC was a crack miler, as his facile defeat of Goldikova shows.I don’t think a fully fit Canford Cliffs would’ve beat Frankel anyway.
Incidentally, I find it strange that both Frankel and Nathaniel (on their last runnings) beat horses (Canford Cliffs and Workforce) that veered to their left
Listening to the interview of Richard Hughes after the Sussex, he was honest enough to say that they had been beaten fair and square but also that Canford Cliffs did not give his true running. Both he and Richard Hannon were both keen to take on Frankel again.
Horses that win 5 group ones on the bounce are rare and defeating Rip Van Winkle and Goldikova on seperate occasions shows he was a fine animal. After the Sussex last year he never saw the racetrack again so its reasonable to suppose he was not 100% after the race which would account for Richard Hannon saying it wasnt his track.
Personally I am much more inclined to believe the Hannon team regarding Canford Cliffs than Workforce connexions claiming that Rewilding had struck into him. The detailed explanation of the scan is in sharp contrast to the vagueness from that quarter.I might appear dumb here, but what happened to Makfi who beat Canford cliffs in their guineas. Frankel and Makfi would be a match if he’s still in training.
I might appear dumb here, but what happened to Makfi who beat Canford cliffs in their guineas. Frankel and Makfi would be a match if he’s still in training.
Makfi was retired to stud early due to a bout of ringworm. He stands at Tweenhills Stud in Gloucestershire.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
I hope that he has a great stud career. A top class animal – 5 Group 1 wins , and being beaten by an absolute superstar in Frankel will never , in any way, be a disgrace.
Its very unlike the Hannon / Hughes team to be churlish, or alternatively overly bullish. I wonder how much of this is influencd by the Coolmore media machine ?
I think that regardless of our suspicions / views on why he was retired at this point, that we would all agree if the horse does have something that could lead to a subsequent injury, then it is in his best interests to let him retire and enjoy himself.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.