Grade 1 Winner, Fan Favorite Talismanic Retired
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Talismanic gallops Oct. 29 at Churchill Downs
Godolphin announced Nov. 16 that homebred Talismanic, winner of the 2017 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T), has been retired from racing.
A fan favorite due to his flashy looks, the dark bay son of Medaglia d'Oro successfully grew his following on merit, scoring his first group victory for trainer Andre Fabre in the 2017 Prix Maurice de Nieuil (G2) at Saint Cloud. Two starts later, he made his North American debut one to remember when he captured the Breeders' Cup Turf, rallying to a half-length score over Beach Patrol, with multiple grade/group 1 winner Highland Reel in third.
Talismanic concluded his 2017 campaign with a runner-up effort in the Longines Hong Kong Vase (G1) and added another group win in August in the Prix Gontaut-Biron Hong Kong Jockey Club (G3). He finished his career with a sixth in the Nov. 3 Breeders' Cup Turf at Churchill Downs and was retired with eight wins from 23 starts and earnings of $3,251,567.
"Talismanic was a wonderful horse to train—he showed a great attitude at home and at the races, he was extremely sound, and he performed at a high level at 3, 4, and 5," Fabre said. "His win in the Breeders' Cup Turf epitomized what we are looking for in the modern racehorse—soundness of body, soundness of mind, and an adaptability to different tracks and conditions at the highest level."
Talismanic is out of the Machiavellian mare Magic Mission. Stud plans will be announced at a later date.