Retirement Announcement: Van Guard
Apr 9, 2015 18:48:46 GMT -5
Sammy, creativecause, and 2 more like this
Post by Kenren on Apr 9, 2015 18:48:46 GMT -5
VAN GUARD SAYS GOODBYE TO THE TRACK
Van Guard to stand stud in Y16
Van Guard to stand stud in Y16
With his head held high and the same fire in his heart that he showed in each and every start, Van Guard walked off the track after the Euphoria Memorial Stakes for the last time. He follows grade one siblings Fire Dancer and Indian Darling into retirement, a decision trainer Cole Mavecci says has been on his mind for some time. "He's a great horse, he really is. In time maybe he could have been something even greater. But right here, right now, he's fighting for space with Sweet Inferno and Amarillo Sky and Mourning Passion and it's just not right by any of them." Van Guard would have otherwise been retired at the end of the year.
Jockey Halexia Suhail, who has had the mount since Flawed Princess and Van Guard came side by side off the trailer from Witch Creek over a year back, admitted that even though she hated the idea of retiring him, she could understand. "I ride Sweetie and Rillo as well and I can't be in two places at once. And I wouldn't want to, because these horses are too good for us to run against each other."
And so, with a load of mixed emotions, the staff got Van Guard moved from his stall in the racing barn to his new digs in the stud barn. There is some excitement in the future, though - the son of Native Flame (who is out of Valkyrie mare Native Harlot) has a booking in Y16 with former Valkyrie horse Red Admiral, once again owned by Nature Blue. The mare has been doing very well, and everyone is looking forward to the foal to come and the amazing future at stud that Van Guard will have, if his bloodline is anything to go by.
Jockey Halexia Suhail, who has had the mount since Flawed Princess and Van Guard came side by side off the trailer from Witch Creek over a year back, admitted that even though she hated the idea of retiring him, she could understand. "I ride Sweetie and Rillo as well and I can't be in two places at once. And I wouldn't want to, because these horses are too good for us to run against each other."
And so, with a load of mixed emotions, the staff got Van Guard moved from his stall in the racing barn to his new digs in the stud barn. There is some excitement in the future, though - the son of Native Flame (who is out of Valkyrie mare Native Harlot) has a booking in Y16 with former Valkyrie horse Red Admiral, once again owned by Nature Blue. The mare has been doing very well, and everyone is looking forward to the foal to come and the amazing future at stud that Van Guard will have, if his bloodline is anything to go by.
