Wednesday, 18 June 2008: Coolmore Australia General Manager Michael Kirwan heaped praise on Haradasun and then announced the entire's immediate retirement following his tough win in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot overnight.
“He's done everything he needs to and he will now be retired,” Kirwan said.
“We're looking forward to getting him back to the farm and have him settle in for his new career.”
After looking under pressure approaching the two furlong pole, the son of Fusaichi Pegasus fought bravely under jockey Johnny Murtagh to win the G1 Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) narrowly.
It was just his second start in England and justified the pre-race confidence of Aidan O'Brien, who was certain Haradasun had come on strongly since his first up sixth in the Lockinge Stakes last month.
While Tom Magnier was on course at Royal Ascot, the rest of the Coolmore Australia team gathered at their Jerry Plains office to watch proceedings.
“It's a great result for Coolmore worldwide and a great result for Australia,” Kirwan said.
“It justifies what we paid for him and confirms the confidence so many breeders have had in him since he was announced on the roster this year.”
Haradasun was ridden brilliantly by Murtagh to cross from his middle gate to the grandstand rail and track the leader before lifting him over the last furlong to beat the outstanding mares Darjina and Finsceal Beo in a driving finish.
Murtagh said in post race interviews that Haradasun was more settled before and during today's race than at his first UK start in the Lockinge Stakes.
"Today went well. We moved off the rails and we got a nice slip through and I knew him better today.
"I knew over a stiff mile with plenty of pace on he would be hard to beat.
"He's very tough and genuine and they are trained and ridden hard in Australia and I knew he'd improve from the Lockinge.
"My horse got a bit tired in the last 50 yards, but he is all heart."
Training wizard Aidan O'Brien had ensured a solid pace for Haradasun by starting two stablemates to press for the lead from the start.
"He was very naturally fast from day one - a great cruiser - and you can see why everyone was excited about him in Australia," O'Brien said.
Haradasun became the most expensive horse ever sold in Australia when Coolmore attained a 50% share in the colt last year in a deal that reportedly valued him at $50million.
He was already a dual Group 1 winner of the Doncaster and George Ryder, but Coolmore and owner Frank Tagg were keen to test him on the international stage and he was sent to Aidan O'Brien after last year's spring campaign.
The Group 1 win now opens up a lucrative shuttle career in the northern hemisphere.
Kirwan said those in Australia already booked to Haradasun would be on 'cloud nine' to have secured a mating at his first season service fee of $55,000.
This is the second major international success for the wonderful Marscay mare Circles Of Gold.
Her Danehill son Elvstroem was a Group 1 winner in Dubai in 2005 and now Haradasun has carried her name to Europe just over three years later.
 | | Posted by maccamax, on 21-6-2008 12:30:20 AM
Jenny...The great Bernborough was a shot in the arm at a time when the country was re grouping following WW2...Many Races he won hadn''t evolved to G1 status and a lot of the opposition pulled milk carts between race days ..Hence the big weights ....If we want to include records of well over 60 years ago why not Gloaming ..67 starts 57 wins 9 2nds and fell in the other one ....Makes old Bernie look like Birdsville material aye ....enjoy the posts , Reduces
boredom and we all gain at least a smile and hopefully an extra winner at times ...Good Luck ”
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| | Posted by jennycrawford, on 20-6-2008 9:00:10 PM
I think reeny''s right about Bernborough. No horse since has carried the weights he did and won. When he won the Doomben 10,000 with 65.5 kgs he won in course record time. The win was so emphatic the handicapper re-handicapped the horse to carry 68.5 kgs in the Doomben Cup, which he also won.
He started 37 times for 26 wins (15 consecutive), 3 placings. I consider him Australia''s greatest. Because he broke down before he could have a crack at the Melb Cup, he is underrated (except in Qld) in my book.
Phar Lap and Carbine are Russell Crowes. ”
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| | Posted by maccamax, on 20-6-2008 4:40:34 PM
Reeny ..I surrender ...You are waffling on about rubish in the main ...If you dont consider handicapper opinion ,{Ratings] the WORLD does.
Miss Andretti holds at least 3 track records now in Au and the 1000 at Ascot.
We are after all on about marginal ability in most of the horses mentioned and the WFA scale .
I was assessing form a lot of years years before The marvel Don Scott put together his methods....He never claimed his ideas as original....You may not be aware RATINGS are the foundation of every handicapper since the year DOT.......Don gave credit to the maxims of others and for your information form study and advanced technology has left that era behind too...NOT saying Don Scotts methods are not as important today and I have written here I still use this sites BRR for much of my assessments .
New to me about Manikato { I was there the day Hit It Benny beat him } and I was actually at the track for the Tulloch Derby and Caulfield Cup 1 1/2 mile world record that stood for decades.....But you don''t believe in TIME.
Tell Kathy Freeman , Leisal Jones,Grant Hacket,etc , Im sure they would laugh .
An interesting post would be peoples views on RATINGS , TIMES , HANDICAPPING, VARIABLES ETC....Good luck and I hope we all benefit from differing views in some areas....Thank you
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| | Posted by reeny1987, on 20-6-2008 2:27:55 PM
max you did not read a thing i said for starters i know the weight for age scale is differnt in september to march for 3yo i dont know what you are talking about you made a statement about them both carrying wfa in the doncaster they both did not...i said 5 group ones in a row knigstown town never achieved this feat and he matched tullochs record set fifty years ago or the equivelent of http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23754997-5013405,00.html see for yourself know all so therefore apache cat is one of australia greatest horses...let me remind you that miss andretti is not the greatest sprinter we have seen takeover target is a marvel and one of the greats and his track records have been broken by natural destiny..the royal ascot track records of miss andretti only existed because they hadnt run on the new course and just because she is the fastest horse dont mean she is the greatest manikato would not have been beaten by a bunch of hacks in adelaide or flopped in hong kong... i do take note of sectional times occassionly however you will go broke backing horses on time or timeform maybe you should read don scotts books and i dont look for horses prize money couldnt care less how much it has won, zizou for example has won almost 1 million but its a non winner and like you maxy you will continue to loose ”
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| | Posted by maccamax, on 20-6-2008 8:09:47 AM
Reeny...Your use of the WFA scale for a 3 y/o in March is different to the scale in September.
Be guided by an astute student like Pigspork Did you note earlier he Analysed the Haradasun win as about class 6 level and even tho he won on it he gave an accurate rating...Further to his ability To assess that form he was quick to realise the variables associated with my wish to come back into the next world as Haradasun.
Like any winning form student he overcame my devious wish by having both H and myself gelded.
That is the type of cerebral function that overcomes all hurdles [ pardon the pun ]and leads to a true Pro. ”
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| | Posted by maccamax, on 19-6-2008 11:58:45 PM
bkmac...yes aqua missed the start as was usual ..
The big run too was Mentality who gave Haradasun 2kg...AC drew wide on a rain affected track and was forced to lead with 57.5 and only faded final 100m ..2 L from the winner. Big Run....All top horses and all have had problems ...Pity Mentality didn''t overcome unsound problems as I feel he was the best of the 3 y/o that year.
As I have said, my view is Haradasun is no top champion....Todman would have carried him over 1600......It amazes me when some say times dont mean anything .Apart from CR the importance of sectionals for time analysis ...Wonder why they think Vormista got so close to AC in the 1200 lead up to the 10000... Weekend Husslers final 200 before he fell in then blitzing Racing to Win next time...Reeny has to stop using that pin ”
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| | Posted by maccamax, on 19-6-2008 11:15:18 PM
lol reeny...Angry Woman .....Your screaming over 1K....Haradasun has had soundness problems all the way , erratic and still belted AC in The Doncaster at 1600.as did Mentality a 3 y/o with 2K more than H....Takeover Target , Miss Andretti are 2 who hold numerous course records, are now much older than AC . ..If you don''t respect TIME in Sprinters at least, prizemoney earned and {say] Timeform Ratings then You will continue to lose .....I know you lose as winners dont have the personality problems you displayed to a Tourist on another post.... Winners are humerous . pleasant and have good reason to be happy... Kingston Towns G1 5 in a season and you are wrong about Bernborough [ some of his wins weren''t G1 at that time ] and Tulloch too [ he only raced till mid Oct as a 3 y/o ].....To end this debate all the horses are fine examples . I repeat AC is a long way from the best sprinter I have seen ..Timeform would have ten sprinters with higher assessments...And I feel guilty as I have won heaps on it...
I wont go to Veneuzala....I would prefer to stay and maybe educate a few of you beginners in the art of form study .....Do have a nice day. ”
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| | Posted by reeny1987, on 19-6-2008 7:24:52 PM
no max you get your facts right your the one with the mouth with no facts...Let me teach you something FACT ONE In the George Ryder Haradasun carried 56kg and Apache Cat carried 59kg under WFA conditions in the doncaster Apache Cat carried 57kg and Haradasun carried 53kg meeting the cat 1kg better which is not WFA FACT TWO - Apache Cat is the first horse since bernbrough/tulluch?? to win 5 consecutive group ones in a season he has beaten all comers and will go down as one of the greats of the Australian turf. FACT 3 - I was talking about Apache Cat running at Ascot in the two sprints condiering he beat Takeover Target by 3 lengths in the TJ Smith. FACT 4 wat do track records have to do with anything at Sandown there is track records owned by class 4 horses you have no idea times are irellevant to how good a horse is due to pace, track conditions etc most of these track record holders get beaten at their next start and never repeat the perfomance again.
I suggest you go join your mate from Veneuzala and get a flight back with him cause horse racing is obviously not your specialty ”
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| | Posted by reeny1987, on 19-6-2008 11:23:47 AM
um max are you stupid...you should check your wfa scale in the george ryder wun on the 31st of March under WFA conditions Apache Cat carried 59kg and Haradasun carried 56kg moving on to the Doncaster Apache Cat carried 57kg and Haradasun carried 53kg meaning Haradasun was 1kg better off or 1.5 lengths better than when they met in the George Ryder. If your going to try and insult my intelligence i suggest YOU GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT THEY DID NOT BOTH CARRY WEIGHT FOR AGE. In addition, what te bloody hell has track records got to do with being a good sprinter in up the straight in Ascot??? Only idiots follow times in fact around 90% or something close to this figure of all horses who break track records will A never repeat the performance and B get beaten at their next start that is why you have class 4 horses holding track records at tracks like Sandown etc. The record books show that Apache Cat is the first horse to win 5 consecutive group 1s in a season since bernbourgh or tulloch so he will go down as a great horse you only beat whats put in front of you and to win 5 group ones in a season is outstanding i think you should join your mate from venuzuala and get a plane ticket back with him at least you might start saving your money and us from your mouth over there. ”
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| | Posted by bkmac, on 19-6-2008 8:42:54 AM
Aqua D Amore should of won that doncaster, no doubt in my mind. Have a look at the replay. ”
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| | Posted by maccamax, on 19-6-2008 7:55:27 AM
Reeny....If you are going to hit us with verbal diarrhoea at least get your facts right ....Your WFA scale is way out .I believe both carried WFA in Haradasuns Doncaster.The best rating in the race went to MENTALITY..... Good horses , honest as they come . Explained in other posts.
Neither would live with dozens of horses over the last decade so leave it as it factually is ...They are 2 fine thoroughbreds...Check your Track records as point one and then tell me what the best sprinter is we have had in recent times.......It aint Apache Cat.....and the best miler , aint Haradasun. ”
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| | Posted by reeny1987, on 19-6-2008 7:02:39 AM
max first of all purple moon was second up and scorpion had his last run one month prior in addition i was talking about apache cat up the straight at royal ascot considering he beat takeover target by 3 lengths in the TJ Smith not over a mile! anyways apache cat would beat haradasun up to 1400m by a fair distance and he probably would beat him over 1600m that was a handicap he won as a 3yo carrying like 53kg apache cat carried topweight of 58 or 57.5 at weight for age at that time of year apache cat would of carried 59 and haradasun 57 he only beat him by about 3 lengths ”
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| | Posted by incognito, on 19-6-2008 6:46:46 AM
I think the old saying make hay while the sun shines is apt. He had the team riding to his advantage, the tiring leader moving sideways to let him through, then the jockey fined for excessive use of the whip - and he fell in! retiring him is the right move ”
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| | Posted by maccamax, on 19-6-2008 5:23:11 AM
LOL Pig , Love your description.
Facts are , They have met over a mile in a Doncaster. Haradasun 1st..AC unp....In 18 starts Haradasun has won more prizemoney 7 wins than Apache Cat has in 16 wins from 30 starts .
No one rates either as all time greats.
Bluddy good , honest horses to be admired and they give the foundation of Racing that boost that keeps them going .ie the PUNTERS ”
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| | Posted by pigspork, on 19-6-2008 1:42:27 AM
In the next world max you should both come back gelded. The cat would now brain him over a mile.The race was put on for him and he only fell in.(and i backed him) As i said before the most overated horse ever and the race was very weak. ”
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| | Posted by maccamax, on 18-6-2008 4:58:09 PM
Lessons to be learned ....As much as $7 on Betfair ..May the racing Gods bless him ..Timeform has always had him up top ...
Be prepared to accept he wasn''t up to Apache Cat in the sprint Dept. but too good for him at his distance 1600.....I want to come into the next world as Haradasun ... ”
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| | Posted by Brett, on 18-6-2008 4:31:17 PM
At $55,000 stud fee man only fools will put their mares to him at that price !!!!.
Or the owners of him who want to bolster his amount ”
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| | Posted by pigspork, on 18-6-2008 10:43:26 AM
Wonder what des glesson would say to stablemates making the pace.Would have to be the most overated horse in history.Still a non winner in my book. And there retiring him because they know. ”
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| | Posted by maccamax, on 18-6-2008 4:42:17 AM
Reeny ...From memory i think the 2 placegetters in the last Melbourne Cup were first up at 3200....One of the reasons Haradasuns win percentage isnt as hot is the number of races he wasn''t placed to advantage in ...Like his placings to Apache Cat in sprint affairs ...he beat AC by 2 L in the Doncaster 1600 as a 3y/o.....Timeform has him high on the tree and the $6.50 was real value....TAB 3.60 i think. ”
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| | Posted by nanderson, on 18-6-2008 1:08:34 AM
Guess what, he is now going straight to stud and this victory ensures a career as a shuttle stallion. only regret was missing the $5 in Darwin. $4.60 will do, what price the TAB?!!! ”
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| | Posted by reeny1987, on 18-6-2008 12:44:52 AM
got $6 on betfair and 6/4 the place fantastic performance its funny how they train there horses over there but as an Australian those type of horses are always going to improve second up fancy first up over a mile last time...for all the crap that europe and american racing beurocrats talk about breeding it just shows you imagine if WEEKEND HUSSLER was in the race more to the point what about if Apache Cat run in the King Stand we should send more horse over i love it when we beat the poms
btw John McCrick you are a goose ”
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