Siskin aims for Breeders' Cup swansong before stud career in Japan

Ger Lyons has revealed that his dual Group 1 winner Siskin will head to stud in Japan after one final potential start in his care at the Breeders' Cup.

The Juddmonte homebred was unbeaten in a striking juvenile campaign which culminated in victory in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.

He returned for 2020 to land the Irish 2,000 Guineas under a steely ride from Colin Keane and was a commendable third behind Mohaather in the Sussex Stakes. The First Defence colt was most recently seen finishing fourth to Persian King in last month’s Prix du Moulin.

"This year was about the Guineas, the Sussex, come back for a light campaign, maybe the Boomerang, have a look at the QEII, ground depending, and then put him away for next year but that’s been put on hold," said Lyons.

"I didn’t want to send him as a three-year-old to a Breeders’ Cup but he won’t be staying in training at four so the Breeders’ Cup now becomes an option. At this moment in time, he’s being trained with that in mind."

Ger Lyons is disappointed not to be training Siskin next yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

After explaining on the Nick Luck Daily podcast that Japan would be Siskin’s stallion destination, Lyons expressed a degree of both personal and wider disappointment.

Juddmonte announced in June that it had sold Siskin’s breeding rights to undisclosed buyers, widely thought to have been Coolmore.

"I’m delighted for him because he’s going to get a quality book of mares that he probably wouldn’t get in Ireland, but I’d have loved to have trained him at four," he said. "But it just goes to show you where we are in the industry when powerhouses like Juddmonte, Coolmore still sell their best horses and have to sell their best horses for economic reasons.

"I thought when I’d get to the stage when I’m winning a Guineas or an Oaks that you’d see their careers out, we’ve got to where we are by selling our best horses and here we are at the top table, still selling our best horses. Which is a little bit disappointing, frustrating, whatever, it's demoralising to say the least."

Lyons has sought top of the ground conditions for Siskin this season, and the state of the going at Keeneland next month is the trainer's caveat.

"We’re allowed to 'go' if we’re all happy with him and that’s a decision Teddy [Grimthorpe, Juddmonte racing manager] and I will make in the coming days," he said. "It’s been lovely fast ground over there of late, which would be perfect for him, but I wouldn’t like to see him over there on soft ground."

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