Farnan, brilliant
all-the-way winner of the 2020 Golden Slipper and rated the most dominant
two-year-old Champion of the century by Timeform, has met with a setback in
training and has been retired to stud. The son of Not A Single Doubt out of a
G3-winning Street Cry mare will stand at Kia Ora Stud, NSW. His fee, that will
be in line with those commanded by other Golden Slipper winners in their first
season at stud, will be set after the Easter Yearling Sale.
Co-trainer Adrian
Bott said, “Niggling problems have interrupted our progress towards his big
autumn targets, which were the Group 1 Galaxy and TJ Smith, with a possible
tilt at a Royal Ascot campaign. Unfortunately, we have now run out of time.
Farnan’s record as a two-year-old speaks for itself and his work at home and at
the trials this preparation show that he has retained all of his superior speed
as a three-year-old. Gai and I are certain that he will be a huge success at
stud, and we look forward to supporting his progeny in due course.”
A $550,000 Magic
Millions yearling, Farnan made an instant impact winning by five at Canberra on
his mid-November debut. Victory over the Gimcrack winner in the Magic Millions
2YO Wyong Classic preceded a troubled run in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic,
his only defeat at two. Farnan bounced back with a resounding three-length win
in the G2 Silver Slipper, which he followed with a trailblazing triumph in the
G2 Todman, accounting for G1 Blue Diamond winner Tagaloa. Flashing natural
speed from the gate and an impressive finishing kick, Farnan won under a
hands-and-heels ride.
Farnan was still more
authoritative in the $3.5m G1 Golden Slipper, breaking swiftly from a wide
berth before making most of the running and resoundingly defeating Away Game.
Jockey Hugh Bowman said of him, “Farnan’s a very special colt. I’ve been lucky
enough to ride some really good horses over my career, but I’ve never ridden a
better two-year-old.”
Farnan’s crowning
victory earned him a Timeform rating of 122 and the Champion two-year-old
title. In fact, Timeform assesses Farnan as the most dominant juvenile Champion
of the century, fully five pounds superior to the next best youngster from his
crop.
“Farnan has won all
his trials as a three-year-old, and in brilliant fashion,” says Kia Ora Stud
manager Shane Wright
