Marienbard retires to stud

In news that will take the racing world by surprise Godolphin announced that Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Marienbard will be retired to stud along with stablemates Slickly and Best of the Bests.

Marienbard, who scored the best victory of his career when he beat Derby winners Sulamani and High Chaparral at Longchamp earlier this month, will stand at East Stud in Japan the Godolphin website announced.

Godolphin also retired last year's Arc sensation Sakhee and 2002 Dubai World Cup winner Street Cry earlier this season.

Marienbard reached his peak this year, scoring three consecutive Group One wins culminating in his famous Arc triumph.

He had previously recorded back-to-back successes in German Group One races, the WGZ Bank-Deutschlandpreis and the Grosser Preis von Baden.

His trainer Saeed bin Suroor told the stable's website yesterday: "Marienbard was a great racehorse. He improved a lot this year and has been very brave in his races.

"He was the impressive winner of four races this year and we are going to miss him. He beat the best horses in the Arc and he is the best of the best now.

"Marienbard has a very good temperament and was easy to train, always relaxed. This year he was a real professional horse, trying to give his best all the time."

Marienbard won eight of his 17 starts for £1,181,425 in prize money.

Slickly, the World Champion miler of 2001, who scored his third successive Group 1 victory when he landed the Premio Vittorio di Capua in Italy, will stand next to leading French first season sire and fellow Darley stallion Medaaly at the Haras du Logis in Normandy. His fee will be 8,000 euros October 1st, Special Live Foal.

The Godolphin grey won Group races every season from two to six. He retires as the winner of ten races (including four Group 1s, two Group 2s and two Group 3s) from 16 starts
His trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: "Slickly was a very tough horse who was always very honest in his work and his races.

"Last year he won two Group Ones impressively and before then he had a series of small problems.

"This season we kept him away from racing until we saw that he was ready to run. He won the race in Italy, the Group One Premio Vittorio di Capua at Milan, impressively on Sunday (October 13).

"He has been one of our stars and we will miss him, a very good horse."

Godolphin's Simon Crisford said: "Slickly was an admirably consistent and talented performer, winning 10 of his 16 races including four Group Ones.

"He was a great international campaigner for Godolphin and he did particularly well in France, winning the Group One Prix du Moulin de Longchamp in good style from a strong field last year. We have been delighted with the way he performed for us."

Sam Bullard, head of nominations at Darley, said on the Godolphin website, "Slickly is the most talented miler to retire in France since Irish River. He's an even better racehorse than his sire, the excellent Linamix, and he's from a fast Stakes-placed mare from the Mr Prospector line.

"We're very hopeful he'll attract major breeders from all over Europe. His fee is certainly very reasonable."

Best Of The Bests, who won the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan in May, will stand next to his sire Machiavellian at Dalham Hall Stud in 2003 after retiring at the end of the season.

Simon Crisford of Godolphin said, "He's been a super-consistent and brave campaigner for Godolphin. His run against Grandera and Hawk Wing was sensational, typified his spirit and showed just what a good horse he is." His fee will be £5,000 October 1st, Special Live Foal.

Dubai racing fans will remember Best Of The Best twice won the Maktoum Challenge on the dirt. In 2001 he defeated Group 2 winner Sobieski by 12 lengths and this year beat State Shinto and China Visit.

Sam Bullard said: "Best Of The Bests was a super racehorse – precocious, brave and very talented, and he held his form over four years on the track. He is a handsome horse, out of a fast, Group winning Darshaan mare and we're delighted to be standing him next to his sire."