Equine Retirements, Long Term Injuries and Departures

Oh that’s really sad if it’s true. I see from the RP that he recently switched from Neil King to Tom George then suddenly got sold by the owners to Andrew Hollinshead for whom he ran today. I’m amazed the original owners sold him because they absolutely adored him and he’d given them so much over the last few years.
 
moe said:
Lil Rockefeller after coming second in France today. Yet again I’m hoping I’ve misread/misunderstood something…(.read it again, heart attack after finishing second).
Click to expand...

Doesn’t appear that you have misunderstood - what a shame. I’m surprised he was sold ( and moved !) totally missed all that!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Only changed ownership today according to TRP. I presume he must have stayed in France after his last race.
 
RP tribute to him states that he moved to Tom George so he could run in France but his three month licence had run out so he was transferred to Andrew Hollinshead who has a base there. It was always intended that he would return to Neil Kings so presumably he was still owned by the Govier brother and their partner. Incredibly sad when you think of what a career he had. I will never forget how easily he won at Goodwood that year.

I interviewed Paul Govier after he won a point to point on his only ride. It was quite a story. He had owned horses for a while and friends egged him on to ride in a race at his 40th birthday party. So Jeremy Scott with whom he had Melodic Rendezvous hatched a plan and picked a safe conveyance for him. He got fit, lost several stone and lined up in the Members Race. Now this horse had never won a race, not even with Will Biddick riding. But miraculously not only did Paul manage to negotiate the fences on Rupert (Redmond Hall) but he actually produced him with a winning run over the last and got up to win. I have never seen celebrations like it. Quite a day. We gave him Ride of the Year for it!
 
He was looking so amazing for his age on the latest pictures I saw of him. What an amazing life he’s had, though. And well deserved. (Just watched the video: no matter how many times you see it it’s still unbelievable. But boy, does it make me feel old…)
 
Last edited:
It was a magic moment.
I remember attending Breeders Cup 1992 and jockey Jorge Velasquez had a Rolls Royce promised him by Sheikh Mohammed if he could win on his mounts.
Alas not to be.
Such was the excitement about his Kentucky Derby run that Robert Hall and Ted Walsh hosted a simulcast of the race at Goffs Sales arena.
Again the horse disappointed finishing behind Dr Devious with Jim Bolger attempting to steal the limelight ( sound familiar ?) with Thyer.
Great memories though.
 
It said in one of the videos that he sustained an injury in the race and was never the same again. I didn’t know that.
 
I don't remember the race but watching it back, just wow! Absolutely unbelievable. I thought he was dead already also, bless him, had a long happy life.
Real shame about Lil.... desperate. :(
 
Shame seemingly an injury did for him. Possibly getting close to last covering season, but huge loss particularly to the Coolmore operation but they would have known whichever way, his end was nearer than further away. Shame, was at his King George where Frankie massively cocked up on Fanny Light. Beautiful looking as well.
 
Whatever about Ascot, he made no mistake at Leopardstown.
I have no doubt MJ Kinane thought he had him covered until the last 50 yards; that race cemented Irish Champion Stakes as a World Class race; the place was rocking that day
 
Back
Top