17 Jul 2018
Tavistock's multiple stakes winner Longchamp has run his last race.
The decision was made to retire the six-year-old following a below-par performance at Ruakaka last Saturday.
“I wanted to give him one more go on a better track, but he’s had enough,” Cambridge trainer Andrew Campbell said.
“I’m pleased to retire him sound, it would have broken my heart if something happened to him. He’s been a fantastic horse and given us a lot of thrills.”
Longchamp has been a special member of the stable for Campbell, who trained his sire Tavistock to Group One successes in the Waikato Draught Sprint (1400m) and in the Mudgway Partsworld Stakes (1400m).
“He was Tavistock’s first winner and he’s won a couple of Opunake Cups as well, he’s been a great horse to us,” Campbell said.
A $40,000 Karaka purchase for many of the original owners of Tavistock, Longchamp won at Otaki at the first time of asking as a two-year-old and finished fifth in the Karaka Million (1200m) at his next appearance.
The best performance of his classic season saw him finish a close third behind Turn Me Loose in the Gr.2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m).
“He was only beaten a half-head and a neck, he was a very good horse and wasn’t far off the best,” Campbell said. “He had a few issues so had limited starts.”
Longchamp won seven of his 27 outings, including two editions of the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m), and also ran fourth behind Kawi in the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m). – NZ Racing Desk.