Smart Falcon: classy performer won £5,846,770 in prize-money
PICTURE: Masakazu TakahashiSmart Falcon retired after tendon problem
Japan: Leading dirt horse Smart Falcon has been retired owing to a tendon injury and will enter stud at the Shadai Stallion Station.
Winner of the 2010 and 2011 NAR award for top dirt performer, the seven-year-old son of Gold Allure is suffering from tenosynovitis in his left hock.
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Trained by Ken Kozaki, Smart Falcon won 19 of his 27 starts and £5,846,770 in prize-money. He holds the Japanese record for 2,000 metres (1m2f) with the 2min 00.40sec he recorded in the 2010 Tokyo Daishoten.
His last race came when he could finish only tenth after slipping at the start on the Tapeta all-weather surface at Meydan for this year's Dubai World Cup, when he was second favourite with British bookmakers.
"His wins are a wonderful number and represent a historic feat," said Kozaki. "I want to say thankyou to his owner, his connections and his many fans who cheered him every time."
Regular rider Yutaka Take added: "Rarely do you see a horse who has such wonderful speed and stamina. I am so sorry that I can't ride him anymore but I look forward to his activity as a stallion."
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