Nelson Likely Done Racing for the Year
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Photo: Steven Cargill / Racingfotos.com
No last-minute change of plans will put Irish-bred group stakes winner Nelson in the starting gate during the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
The son of Frankel was pre-entered in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T), but instead was sent to Saint-Cloud in France last weekend to contest the Oct. 29 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (G1), one of two group 1 juvenile stakes on the card.
That plan unraveled when owners, breeders, and trainers held a protest in the parade ring, which forced the track to cancel the Sunday card following the first race. The protest was about France Galop's plan to cut €25 million in payments to cover transport costs and in owners' and breeders' premiums.
Nelson is raced by longtime partners Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor. A spokesman for the partnership said the colt is likely done for the year.
Nelson was one of three to earn a spot in the Juvenile Turf through the Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win and You're In" series. He won the Golden Fleece Willis Towers Watson Champions Stakes (G3) at Leopardstown.
Bred in Ireland by Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt, Nelson is out of the Dalakhani daughter Moonstone. Nelson is a half brother to four black-type winners, including group 3 winners Words (Dansili) and US Army Ranger (Galileo).