Jimmy Choux and regular rider Jonathan Riddell pictured in their Gr. 1 NZB Insurance Spring Classic victory at Hastings last October.
Outstanding galloper Jimmy Choux has run his
last race and will be retired to stud. One of the best young kiwi racehorses in
recent years. Goodbye Jimmy...Co-owner-breeder Richard Wood confirmed that decision to www.theinformant.co.nz from Sydney today, conceding that the rising five-year-old is racing well below his best and has his mind on “other things”.
Jimmy Choux ran what could be arguably described as the worst race of his career when fading to last after receiving a cosy trip in yesterday’s Gr. 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick. Even allowing for the quality of the field, his effort was lengths below what he would be capable of at his best.
“There’s something going on that’s just not keeping his mind on the job, so we’ve made the decision to retire him,” said Wood. “There’s nothing physically wrong with him, his blood’s perfect and he’s pulled up fine, it’s just that he’s wanting to do other things.
“We would have loved to have another crack at the Cox Plate and try and go one better than last year but you’ve got to be realistic, it’s just not meant to be.
“The fact that he’s a rising five-year-old stallion tells us that his future is at stud, so he’s gone for a couple of weeks’ holiday up in the Hunter Valley and we’ll take it from there.”
Wood added that at this stage nothing firm had been decided as to where the son of Thorn Park would take up stud duties. “We’ve had contact from some people in New Zealand and have also been talking to people over here, but nothing’s been finalised,” he said. “You can’t take anything away from him though and I’m sure he’ll find the right opportunity. How many stallions are there at stud who have won give Group Ones?
“He’s given us a fantastic experience and it’s been a lot of fun.”
Trained throughout his career in his home province of Hawke’s Bay by John Bary, Jimmy Choux retires as the reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year with a career total of 12 wins from 26 starts and stakes of $3,626,763. Peak performances besides his Cox Plate second were wins in the Gr. 1 Rosehill Guineas, Telecom New Zealand Derby, New Zealand Bloodstock Insurance Spring Classic, New Zealand 2,000 Guineas and Windsor Park Plate
http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing/WA5169/Jimmy-Choux-retired
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