Horse Racing

Harbinger Goes To Japan

Harbinger, one of the greatest race horses of our time, is making the move to Japan to start life as a stud, following a career ending injury. It is a happy ending to what could have been a shocking loss to the British racing scene.

In early August Harbinger, who was trained by Sir Michael Stoute throughout his short but impressive career, was the highest rating racehorse in the world. The four-year-old colt had won four consecutive races, all of his 2010 starts, including the Hardwicke Stakes and the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot Racecourse. However, the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes were to be Harbingers last professional race – and what a way to farewell the world of horse racing.

Harbinger ran what can only be described as the race of a lifetime. Biding his time under jockey Olivier Peslier, the colt surged forward over the final furlong and won the race by an astonishing 11 lengths, leaving a staggered Cape Blanco to collect runner-up. This performance, which resulted in Harbinger’s sixth win, only reinstated the colt as the greatest runner of our time.

Only weeks after the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, on Saturday 7th August, Harbinger suffered a stumble and fractured his near-fore cannon bone during a training session at the Newmarket gallops. The injury, which was immediately recognised as the end to Harbinger’s incredible career, left the colt’s connections devastated. Harbinger had been considered a sure contender for the Juddmonte International Stakes at York – handled at 10-11 odds by Sky Bet – and a hot ticket for the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe at Longchamp. Now however, it was clear that Harbinger’s racing days were over and his connections were facing challenging decisions about the four-year-olds future.

Thankfully, Harbinger’s inability to continue his racing career did not leave him lacking in demand. Considering his lifetime statistics it is no surprise that bidding over the potential champion stud ensued as soon as his retirement was announced. The colt stated in only nine professional races, but only finished outside the money once. He recorded six wins – including his legendary last win in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes – one second and one third place, building a reputation as the best active racehorse in the world.

The bidding for the rights to breed with the prodigious runner were purchased by the Shadai Group, a Japanese breeder headed by the Yoshida brothers. Harbinger’s owners and connections would have preferred to see their charge settle down to a stud career in the United Kingdom, but the Japanese bidders simply swept British competition off the board. While there is some disappointment about Harbinger’s imminent departure, his connections have announced they feel their golden colt will be in excellent hands in his new home on Japanese soil.

We remember this equine hero of the track and wish him all the best in his new life. Thank you for the great times – and we can’t wait for your offspring to hit the turf.