Redkirk Warrior Retired, Trapeze Artist Gets Stud Deal

After only managing to beat one home in the Lexus Newmarket Handicap (G1), Lindsey Park's senior trainer David Hayes confirmed that Redkirk Warrior (GB) has been retired, and Trapeze Artist's owner-breeder Bert Vieira confirmed a deal was reached last week to stand the son of Snitzel at Widden Stud upon his retirement.

Redkirk Warrior, an 8-year-old Notnowcato gelding, was out to make history to become the only horse to win the Newmarket Handicap three times, but failed to show his old sparkle.

A winner of eight of his 24 starts and earnings of AU$2,936,080 (US$2,182,607), Redkirk Warrior started life as a middle-distance prospect in Britain for William Haggas before transferring to the care of Chris So in Hong Kong. However, his career exploded when he joined the Lindsay Park team in Australia, where he won three group 1 contests, while he returned to Britain to contest the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (G1) and Darley July Cup (G1) last year, finishing 10th in both outings.

Trapeze Artist will likely be retired at the end of his autumn campaign, which could include an overseas farewell to racing. The Gerald Ryan-trained 4-year-old won his fourth group 1 stakes when he took the Canterbury League Club Stakes (G1) in emphatic fashion at Randwick March 9.

"Negotiations have been ongoing for a couple of months but I've made my decision to go with Widden Stud," Vieira told ANZ Bloodstock News last night. "He will go to the (group 1 Darley) T J (Smith Stakes), the (group 1 Schweppes) All Aged, and maybe even Royal Ascot and then he will go to stud.

"I think (Widden) is the best farm for him and especially now that Sebring (has died) there is a lot of mares available for him.

"I have been offered a lot of money to sell him—up to AU$50 million—but we will be supporting him (at stud) and hopefully racing his progeny."

Vieira said he could send up to 50 mares to Trapeze Artist this year and has not ruled out buying fillies and mares at the upcoming Inglis Chairman's Sale and Magic Millions Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale to add to the depth of his broodmare band.

"I could (go to the mares' sales), but I have got 30 mares ready for him. I have got quality mares like Gai's Choice and Espurante. Hopefully I will have 40 to 50 mares," he said, "I am very happy—both sides are very happy. Signed, sealed, and delivered."

Widden Stud's Antony Thompson said he was delighted Vieira had agreed for Trapeze Artist to stand at the historic Hunter Valley farm.

It also comes as a boost to Widden after the sudden death of resident sire Sebring late last month.

"It is a real privilege to stand Trapeze Artist on behalf of the Viera family," Thompson said. "He's the highest ever rated son of Snitzel who broke Black Caviar's race record in winning the T J Smith Stakes (last year) before running a track record over the Randwick 1,400 meters (seven furlongs) winning the All Aged."

Trapeze Artist, who won the 2017 De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes (G1), could have been retired immediately had he not run up to expectations in the Canterbury Stakes, but the victory means he will attempt to make back-to-back wins in the T J Smith Stakes and All Aged Stakes. The valuable stallion won both races last autumn to make him one of the most sought after stud prospects.

Vieira put negotiations on hold last year and instead elected to race him after his 3-year-old season, resulting in a runner-up finish in the Tab Everest and Saturday's success. Ridden by Blake Shinn, Trapeze Artist was sent to the lead and was never headed, defeating Shoals by 1 1/2 lengths, with Prompt Response another three-quarters of a length away in third.

He ran a race record 1:14.19 and his last 600 meters in :33.67.

Trapeze Artist is out of Treppes who is a half sister to group 1 winner Crawl and the listed winner Old Man. The colt, who won the Mercedes-Benz Canberra Black Opal Stakes (G3) as a juvenile, has earned AU$5,543,750 ($4,138,321) from seven wins and four placings in 19 starts.

A service fee for Trapeze Artist will be announced by Widden Stud at a later date.