Turner pays tribute to Margot
Friday 27 July 2012
Hayley Turner has paid tribute to Margot Did, the Group One-winning sprinter, who is almost certain to have run her last race following a disappointing run of form.
Michael Bell's filly won three times during an excellent 2011 campaign, culminating with glory in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York under Racing UK ambassador Turner.
But the filly trailed home last of 15 on her final start of the year in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp and as five starts this year have offered little encouragement, she is set to be sold as a broodmare.
She said: "Margot Did will always hold very special memories for me. I was on board for all five of her wins, including of course her Nunthorpe win, in which she showed just what a good filly she was.
"It’s a shame her form didn’t continue this season but she owed us nothing and deserves a happy retirement. Hopefully I can get to ride some of her offspring in a few years time.”
Bell confirmed that the filly was "95 per cent certain she'll be retired."
He also added: "She did very well as a two-year-old and very well as a three-year-old and normally the three-year-old year is the difficult one for sprinters, but she ended up winning the Nunthorpe.
"When she ran in the Abbaye she came back sick and I just think maybe she hasn't recovered sufficiently from that.
"She looks fantastic and has been working well, but she's not been doing it on the racecourse.
"Rather than degrade her and run her in conditions races and things, the decision has been taken that she'll be retired to stud. Either she'll be sold privately or she'll head to the December Sales.
"She's been a star for us and a star for the owners, but almost certainly we won't see her again on a racecourse."
Watch the 2011 Nunthorpe Stakes below:
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Thanks both for all the good moments I’ve enjoyed seeing you and her winning several races, including a G1. I’ll never forget her
Pedro Mercado | 9 months ago