Equinox, the world’s highest-rated racehorse, has been retired to stud after success in Sunday’s Japan Cup. The four-year-old secured his sixth top-level victory in a row when beating 17 rivals in front of 85,000 people at Tokyo racecourse and he will now join his sire Kitasan Black at Shadai Stallion Station in Hokkaido. Equinox’s stud fee has yet to be determined Equinox winning the Japan Cup
No doubting how impressive that looked. But is the claim to being the Best Racehorse in the World at least debateable, looking at the form of him and Ace Impact Equinox did beat Westover by 3½l whereas Ace Impact only beat him by 1¾l; but that was Westover's first run for 174 days following that gruelling race in the Arc won by Alpinista (who, incidentally, beat him by 7¼l). Equinox beat Through Seven Seas by a nk and one could argue that the latter was unlucky in running ("began to close on outer 2 1/2f out, staying on when squeezed out trying to go between horses over 1f out, switched right, ran on final furlong"). Ace Impact beat Through Seven Seas by 3l It will be interesting to see what Timeform make of the Japan Cup form. Prior to that, Equinox was rated 135 and Ace Impact 133p My question is: On what ground is Equinox rated higher than Ace Impact?
Not sure to which one you are referring STH but it's all a matter of opinion. My opinion is no, whichever it is
I was referring to the GOAT - Equinox. Can't think of a better conformation for a race horse in my lifetime. Absoulte equine perfection. Might have to get the cheque book ready for when the pups arrive.
On the subject of new stallions for 2024 (although in terms of fees a million miles away from Equinox) I see that Douvan and Jonbon's brother will be standing at Haras de la Vallee Verte, in France, for a fee of €3,000 from the beginning of next year. The 5YO Herostar was unraced. Hugely interesting to see how he fares. Sure to attract a lot of interest, I would have thought, given that between them Douvan and Jonbon, to date, have won 12 Grade 1 races.
I'm waiting for an invite to the Haras de Beaumont, in Vauville Calvados, to see Ace Impact (just 1 hour 40 mins from us). Haras de la Vallee Verte is even closer so might have a visit there when we get time Any idea why he hasn't been raced
Already more than 30 mares have been booked in to visit Herostar in his first season at stud, including some black-type mares, with a number of British breeders expressing an interest in sending mares across the Channel to be covered by him
Can anyone name a successful sire who never ran? I see Equinox stems from a one-time strong De Walden family. A few codgers may remember the name Oncidium.
I don't know, to be honest. But reading reports it appears that new connections only had one career in mind, for Herostar, from the moment they bought the old boy (for just €6,500 at the backend of '22). Heavily involved in the project is Jeremiah McGrath who has been a faithful and loyal associate of Lieutenant Henderson's for upwards of a decade and a half - firstly in the saddle and then, in more recent times, on the buying side and sourcing potential purchases for existing owners at Seven Barrows.
The one who immediately springs to mind would be Sadler's Wells' full brother, Fairy King. Just looked his record up on the RP database (and he got a Derby winner (Oath) as well as the legend that was, Falbrav). They were his main stars but had plenty of other Group winners as well (including other at the highest level).
Quite right, but that's about it. At least he came from a breeding family, but good running families don't always produce good sires.
