Black beard will not take part in the Breeders’ Cup and will instead retire for Coolmore after the top youngster was discovered to have a small chip in his knee after training on October 24.
The son of No, never won six of eight starts this term and won consecutive group 1 wins in Darley Prix Morny (G1) and Middle Park Stakes (G1) in his last two starts.
He is training with the Juniors (G1T) Sprint on November 4th, a race he loves 5-2, but coach Aidan O’Brien has said that Beard Black will not be seen on the racetrack again .
O’Brien said: “Blackbeard had a bit of a break from exercise this morning in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup. Unfortunately, when we X-rayed him, the picture was X-rayed. showed a small chip in his right knee and the decision was made to bid him farewell.
“He’s a typical No Nay Never; strong, early maturing and very fast. He runs every month from April to September and improves and improves from one race to the next.”
Ryan Moore, who has joined Blackbeard in seven of his eight starts with the sole exception of his Darley Prix Robert Papin (G2) win at Chantilly, has called him the ultimate pro. .
“Blackbeard is a very fun horse to ride,” said Moore. “It’s tough as nails and is a superlative professional racer who continues to progress throughout the season and has a lethal foot flip,” said Moore. .”
O’Brien said that Little Bear another son of No Nay Never, and winner of Saturday’s Vertem Futurity (G1) Auguste Rodin will have QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1) as their early season target in 2023 while Luxembourg will definitely stay in coaching as a 4-year-old next season.
