Coolmore Stud retires Vancouver

Coolmore Stud is taking no risks with Vancouver and has retired the G1 Golden Slipper winner less than a fortnight before the start of Royal Ascot.

The Medaglia D’Oro colt had been as short as 10-1 for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes but his owners have decided not to persevere with plans to pit him against the best sprinters in Europe.

Vancouver will now return to Australia for his initial Hunter Valley book at a $66,000 (inc gst) service fee.  He was due to debut for trainer Aidan O’Brien at the Curragh last month but was ruled out due to an unsatisfactory blood-test.

“His blood failed to improve as quickly as we might have hoped,” said O’Brien.  “Unfortunately we’ve run out of time to get him ready for the Diamond Jubilee and the July Cup.”

Vancouver will enter quarantine in Newmarket next week.  “It’s a major disappointment but he’s proving very popular with breeders,” Coolmore Stud’s Tom Magnier said.  “We’re keen to get him back here in Australia as soon as possible.”

Coolmore Stud purchased a controlling interest in Vancouver for a reported $40 million after the Golden Slipper but the latest setback will make it much harder to market him as a sire in Europe.