'Solid and Consistent' Idaho Retired to Beeches Stud

Idaho, a fine flag bearer for Aidan O'Brien over the past four seasons, has been retired from racing and will stand under the Coolmore National Hunt banner at Beeches Stud in County Waterford.

The 6-year-old son of Galileo—and full brother to the brilliant Highland Reel—won four of his 23 starts, a record that does not tell the full extent of his talent.

At 2 he won a Curragh maiden and took fourth in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (G1), and at 3 he placed third behind Harzand in the Investec Derby (G1) and second in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) before scoring in the Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes (G2) in impressive fashion to make him odds-on favorite for the William Hill St. Leger (G1).

However, Idaho had terrible luck in the Doncaster classic when he stumbled and unseated jockey Seamie Heffernan while traveling well three furlongs from home.

More fortunately, the experience did not leave a lasting effect on him and he came back at 4 to win the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) and finish third to Enable in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1). He performed creditably at 6 as well, winning the Boodles Diamond Ormonde Stakes (G3) and finishing third in the Qatar Goodwood Cup (G1) and Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (G2).

"Idaho was a very solid, consistent racehorse—sound, clear-winded with a good mind," O'Brien said. "I think he would have been an impressive winner of the St. Leger but for getting brought down in the straight and he showed that when winning the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot."

Idaho is out of the group 2-placed Danehill mare Hveger, who also produced grade 1-placed Valdemoro and Cape of Good Hope as well as seven-time group/grade 1 winner Highland Reel, who is covering his second book of mares at Coolmore this year.

A 750,000 guineas (US$1,273,230) Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling, he also hails from the family of champions and sires Elvstroem, Haradasun, and Starspangledbanner.

His sire Galileo promises to be an important influence in jumps breeding. His own emigrants from the flat to the National Hunt sphere include grade 1 winners Celestial Halo, Supasundae, and Windsor Park, while popular son Soldier of Fortune has provided classy jumpers such as Early Doors, Flying Tiger, Mega Fortune, Scarpeta, and Tin Soldier.

"Idaho is an outstanding individual with plenty of size and scope and a great walk," said Beeches manager Robert McCarthy. "He was a very genuine and talented racehorse who performed at the highest level from 2 to 5 years and is a full brother to a superstar in Highland Reel."