12 Apr 2010
In an exclusive interview with NZTM, Sir Patrick Hogan has announced that Tavistock has will not race again and is on his way back to New Zealand via a stopover in Melbourne.
“The previous owners of Tavistock had the right to run the horse in the All-Aged Stakes in a couple of weeks, but asked my advice after the unplaced run in the T J Smith Stakes,” said Sir Patrick.
“He’s a top-of-the-ground horse and the track conditions were right against him last Saturday.
“The previous owners were keen to do the best thing by the horse and I’m delighted they have seen fit to retire him now and send him back to Cambridge Stud.”
Tavistock, a four-year-old entire by Montjeu from Upstage, by Quest for Fame, retires with a race record of 6 wins & 4 placings from 18 starts. This season alone he has won two Group One races in New Zealand at 1400 metres and was placed second in the Group One Thorndon Mile behind Wall Street.
In addition this term he has won the VRC Blamey Stakes-Gr.2 and was also a Listed Race winner at three years at Flemington, in the VRC Vain Stakes.
Tavistock was fully syndicated in 48 hours and is set to join super sire Zabeel, proven sire Keeper and newcomer Lucky Unicorn (oldest progeny yearlings) at Cambridge Stud.
A fee for Tavistock will be announced in the next two weeks and Sir Patrick Hogan warned that it will be a very competitive price.
“I’m going to seek feedback from the shareholders in the horse, but my policy has always been to start stallions off at very realistic prices. It’s a policy which worked for Sir Tristram and Zabeel, as well as the likes of Cape Cross and Stravinsky.”
Article by Adrian Clark, NZ Thoroughbred Marketing