Highclere Racing, Racehorse Ownership & Syndication, Newbury UK
Harbinger
Harbinger with his devoted lass Sue Cook and workrider Maria Doe, August 2010
The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1), July 2010
Pedigree
Harbinger
Penang Pearl (FR)
Dansili (GB)
Hasili (IRE)
Danehill (USA)
Guapa (GB)
Bering
A proven Group performer, Harbinger looked a highly progressive colt in the making when winning the Gordon Stakes (Gr 3) at Goodwood in 2009. Following the race he was installed as favourite for the St Leger but was unable to build on his win at Goodwood when finishing down the field in the Great Voltigeur at York. While no obvious reason for his poor performance came to light after the race, it was clear that something was amiss on the day. Sir Michael Stoute decided to give Harbinger a break after York before running him back in the St Simon (Gr 3) at Newbury at the end of October, where he put up a very creditable performance to finish third in very testing conditions.
Harbinger annihilated his rivals with a truly memorable victory in The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1) (Sponsored by Betfair) at Ascot on Saturday 24th July. He won in scintillating style, travelling in the race supremely well for jockey Olivier Peslier before blasting clear to record an eleventh-length romp in a course-record time of 2m 26.78s.
Sadly, following a gallops accident two weeks later, Harbinger was retired. On 2nd September 2010, it was announced that Harbinger had been sold for stud duties to Japan.
The members of the Admiral Rous syndicate grew extremely close to the horse and would dearly have loved him, widely regarded as 'the best horse in the world', to have retired to stud in the U.K. However, Harbinger will be in excellent hands and everyone hopes that he is as big a success at stud for The Yoshida brothers as he was on the racecourse for Highclere.
RACE HISTORY 2010
24th July - Ascot - The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1) - 1st
19th June - Royal Ascot - The Hardwicke Stakes (Gr 2) - 1st
7th May - Chester - The Boodles Ormonde Stakes (Gr 3) - 1st
17th April - Newbury - The John Porter Stakes (Gr 3) - 1st
Syndicate
Race History
Runs: 9
Wins: 6
Places: 2
Timeform Rating: 140
BHB Rating: 135