Benbatl , a globe-trotting group 1 winner with group wins in four countries over five seasons, has been retired from racing to enter stud at Big Red Farm in Japan, announced owner/breeder Godolphin Nov. 4.
Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, the son of Dalham Hall’s Dubawi was among the world’s top performers on both turf and dirt, with 10 group stakes victories. He also finished third in the 2020 $20 million Saudi Cup at King Abdulaziz Racetrack.
Benbatl won at the group level every season he raced, but his 4-year-old campaign was his best, as he landed top-level contests on three continents: the Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (G1), the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis-Bayerisches Zuchtrennen (G1) in Germany, and Australia’s Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes (G1).
Benbatl retires as Dubawi’s top earner, with more than £5.8million (US$7,853,165) in purses. He is the first foal of the Selkirk mare Nahrain , who excelled on the international stage as well with group 1 wins in France and the United States, and is a direct descendant of outstanding New Zealand champion La Mer.
“He was the ultimate professional in everything he did, which made him an easy horse to train,” said bin Suroor. “Everyone at Godolphin Stables will miss him, but he has a very good pedigree and we are looking forward to seeing how he performs in his new career.”
