'Very solid and consistent' Idaho retired to Beeches Stud

Idaho, a fine flagbearer for Aidan O'Brien over the past four seasons, has been retired from racing and will stand under the Coolmore National Hunt banner at Beeches Stud in County Waterford.

The six-year-old son of Galileo – and brother to the brilliant Highland Reel – won four of his 23 starts, a record that does not tell the full extent of his talent.

At two he won a Curragh maiden and took fourth in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, and at three he finished placed behind Harzand in the Derby and Irish version before scoring in the Great Voltigeur Stakes in impressive fashion to make him odds-on favourite for the St Leger.

However, Idaho suffered a stroke of terrible luck in the Doncaster Classic when he stumbled and unshipped jockey Seamie Heffernan while travelling well three furlongs from home.

More fortunately, the experience did not leave a lasting effect on him and he came back at four to win the Hardwicke Stakes and run third to Enable in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. He performed creditably at six last year too, winning the Ormonde Stakes and finishing third in the Goodwood Cup and Lonsdale Cup.

“Idaho was a very solid, consistent racehorse – sound, clear-winded with a good mind,” said O’Brien. “I think he would have been an impressive winner of the St Leger but for getting brought down in the straight and he showed that when winning the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.”

Idaho is out of the Danehill mare Hveger, who finished third in the Australasian Oaks, making him a sibling to Victoria Oaks second Valdemoro and Superlative Stakes runner-up Cape Of Good Hope as well as seven-time Group/Grade 1 winner Highland Reel, who is covering his second book of mares at Coolmore this year.

A 750,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling, he also hails from the family of champions and sires Elvstroem, Haradasun and Starspangledbanner.

His sire Galileo promises to be an important influence in jumps breeding.

His own emigrants from the Flat to the National Hunt sphere include Grade 1 winners Celestial Halo, Supasundae and Windsor Park, while popular son Soldier Of Fortune has provided classy jumpers such as Early Doors, Flying Tiger, Mega Fortune, Scarpeta and Tin Soldier.

“Idaho is an outstanding individual with plenty of size and scope and a great walk,” said Beeches manager Robert McCarthy. “He was a very genuine and talented racehorse who performed at the highest level from two to five years and is a full-brother to a superstar in Highland Reel.”

Read more...

Highland Reel all set for shuttle trip to Sangster's Swettenham Stud

One of Highland Reel's first foals pictured in the paddock

Soldier Of Fortune the most in-demand sire for third year in a row