Canford Cliffs

A spot of bad news from overseas as Canford Cliffs has been retired from racing due to an injury sustained during his recent defeat to the outstanding Juddmonte horse, Frankel, in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Canford Cliffs finished five lengths behind the winner on July 27 and really was no match for the three-year-old winner of the 2,000 Guineas in the race. The injury has been reported to be to the pastern of the left foreleg.

Canford Cliffs, of course, is the horse that bested Goldikova in her 2011 debut in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. So, this is a major loss for European racing this summer. Canford Cliffs was one of the older horses there that might have been on a par with that great mare Goldikova, who has won three consecutive runnings of the Breeders' Cup Mile on these shores, and Frankel, who is a perfect 8 for 8 in his brilliant career.

Thankfully, the injury is not considered life-threatening and he will be able to retire to stud duty at Coolmore Farm in Ireland. However, wouldn't it have been nice if this European version of "The Big Three" might have all made their way to the U.S. for the Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs in November. Of course, it remains to be seen if Frankel will be heading this way, and of course, Goldikova appeared to be brought back this year specifically to try for four-in-a-row in the Breeders' Cup Mile by her connections.

As I said at the start, a spot of bad news from overseas, but hopefully those big ones still in the running over there will continue on to put on a few more fantastic racing shows before they are done. Here is the link to watch Canford Cliffs defeat Goldikova in the 2011 Queen Anne Stakes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVd3qQvghlI.

Tune in again tomorrow for more from They Are Off. For right now, I am Gone... GOODBYE!