Cascadian retires

[Wandering Eyes]

Cascadian (left) claiming Pride Of Jenni to win the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m). Photo: Racing Photos

Cascadian, who won the hearts of his handlers and racing fans alike with his versatility, bold spirit and tenacity on the racetrack has retired and will begin a new role as a flagbearer for the Godolphin Lifetime Care program.

Cascadian will join other Godolphin greats Kementari, Hartnell, Osborne Bulls, Hauraki, It’s Somewhat, Avilius, Best of Days and Trekking after finishing his career as the winner of 12 races, with 15 placings and prize-money earnings of $10.85 million.

A globetrotter in the Godolphin stable, the now nine-year-old’s story began in the UK when he was foaled on 26, March 2015.

By former Darley champion two- and three-year-old New Approach, out of the Street Cry mare Falls Of Lora (IRE), Cascadian had six starts for three wins and two placings under French trainer André Fabre before being sent to Australia to join the Godolphin Australia under the head trainer James Cummings.

“He had six runs, ran very well for André – including a big Group 1 performance (second) over a mile in France,” Cummings said.

“The feeling was his future could be maximised in Australia, and he was given a year off.

“Our Godolphin racing team has really been the beneficiary of a horse who had been given that time.

“Every preparation he chipped away and improved.”

The handsome chestnut won in each of his five seasons Down Under, compiling eight Stakes victories at distances from 1400m to 2000m – including four wins at Group 1 level.

His 2021 Group 1 Doncaster Mile and 2022 All Aged Stakes victories were highlights for Cummings, but defending his 2023 Australian Cup crown just two months ago gave his trainer a huge thrill.

“He delivered in the first Australian Cup, but I don’t know if that was his highlight,” Cummings said

“All things being equal, the depth wasn’t there like it was the following year.

“So to go back-to-back in a harder race was quite amazing.

“He’s rounded off his career with an Australian Cup win against Pride Of Jenni and Atishu, with Mr Brightside in that race, and one final appearance for fourth in the Queen Elizabeth when he rattled home with a big finish.”

2024 Australian Cup replay – Cascadian

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Cascadian is one of just six horses to achieve back-to-back Australian Cup wins in the race’s 161-year history (established in 1863).

Cummings said the decision to retire Cascadian, and not press on to the Hollindale Stakes and Group 1 Doomben Cup in Queensland, was difficult but made in the horse’s best interests.

“It’s a few weeks since the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and I can just sense he’s still a bit tired from his most recent prep,” the trainer said.

“Normally he would just go for a spell and then we would bring him back.

“But we did agree before the commencement of this preparation that it should be his last.

“Great to see, considering he rose to beat an exceptional field in an outstanding edition of the Australian Cup.”

A stable favourite, Cascadian leaves a wonderful legacy and will be sorely missed.

“He’d go round the turf track at Osborne Park some mornings and his work rider would come back and tell me, ‘this horse is booming’,” Cummings said.

“He had a real feel to him, he loved to race and as his preps unfolded and he reached peak fitness he was dangerous in any race we set for him.

“The least we can do is give Cascadian what he deserves.”

Besides finding a good post-racing home, the Godolphin Lifetime Care program aims to promote the versatility of the thoroughbred breed in various non-racing endeavours.

Godolphin Australia bloodstock manager Jason Walsh said Cascadian joins some illustrious company and envisaged even more success in the next chapter of his life.

“We take pride in promoting the thoroughbred as part of our Godolphin Lifetime Care program and I cannot think of a better example of the versatility of a thoroughbred than Cascadian,” Walsh said.

“He’ll join that program as a flagbearer, a horse with his profile after his contribution.

“One of our objectives will be to place him in an environment where he can continue to contribute like he has on the racecourse.

“He’s the kind of rare animal that whatever he turns his hand to, he will be a success.

“It’s exciting to think what the next phase of his career might look like.

“Whatever that is, I’m sure he will give it his best as he has for so many years on the racecourse.”

While Cascadian has been a tremendous success story in Australia, he is the result of the hard work and dedication of the entire Godolphin establishment.

“As a horse, it’s not very often you have a horse of his calibre walk through the barn door,” Walsh said.

“He’s a great example for Godolphin – bred in the UK, raced in France before joining our team.

“He’s a great credit to those people who had him before us.

“To retire as a four-time Group 1 winner, a dual Australian Cup winner, with over $10 million in prize money, he’s a very rare horse and we are fortunate to have had an opportunity to play a part in his journey.”

Right now, Cascadian will enjoy a well-earned rest at Kelvinside in the NSW Hunter Valley before joining the care program.

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