Vinery Stud have today announced the retirement of All Too Hard.
After consultation with the colt’s shareholders and his trainers Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, it was decided that All Too Hard had nothing left to prove, he had beaten the best, over the ideal distances and against all ages.
All Too Hard retires after winning three consecutive Weight For Age, Group 1 races for his new owners; the CF Orr stakes (1400m), the Futurity Stakes (1400m) and after a well publicized setback, he stood tall to come to Sydney to beat the best in the All Aged Stakes (1400m).
All this was a perfect follow on from his brilliant Spring in Melbourne where he ran down Pierro to win the Caulfield Guineas Gr1, before meeting the best Weight For Age horses in the country and being caught on the line by Ocean Park in the W.S. Cox Plate.
For the first time in history he is the only horse to ever win the Caulfield Guineas, C.F Orr (WFA), Futurity (WFA) and All Aged (WFA) in one season.
“We are obviously very disappointed to see All Too Hard retire, but we understand the owners’ decision to do so”, said his trainer John Hawkes.
“You don’t see too many colts as good as this horse come along, he is a super horse, he has shown just what he is capable of doing and would have potentially gone on to win many more top class races and in doing so establishing himself as one of the greats. We are proud to have been part of the colt’s career on the track; he will get the best of opportunity at stud, he will make a great stallion and we look forward to training his stock in the future”.
His retirement comes fresh on the heels of the release of the latest World Thoroughbred rankings this week where All Too Hard has been awarded the highest rated 3yo in the country and second highest Australian Racehorse, second only to no other than his big sister Black Caviar. He was also rated equal highest 3yo colt in the world (World Thoroughbred Rankings Jan ’13).
“It was a difficult decision for us to retire a colt with so much more to offer as a racehorse”, said Vinery Stud’s General Manager, Peter Orton.
“All Too Hard has done all we could have asked for and more. He is the most exciting stallion prospect I have seen for many years. He is the most spectacular physical who will be sure to dominate and offer a great pedigree mix to a vast range of broodmares. He possesses an outstanding pedigree being out ofHelsinge and a half brother to World Champion Sprinter Black Caviar but offers the blood of Champion sires such as Danehill, Snippets, Last Tycoon, Flying Spur and Vain.
“All Too Hard retires as a lightly raced stallion who since being announced as standing this season, we have been inundated with bookings which will see his 2013 book being finalize shortly”.
