Harbinger's stud future decided

02/09/2010

Harbinger, outstanding winner of the Ascot's show piece The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes has been sold for stud duties to Japan. The multimillion dollar deal values the horse as one of the highest priced transactions in recent times.

John Warren, director of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, who handled the negotiations, said "There were a number of top stud farms from both home and abroad involved in the negotiations and there was a very strong bid to keep the horse in England. Unfortunately for the British Bloodstock industry the final bid from the famous Shadai Group, where Sunday Silence stood, was far too strong to be able to compete".

The owners of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's Admiral Rous syndicate grew extremely close to the horse. They would dearly have loved Harbinger, widely regarded as 'The best horse in the world', to have retired to stud in the U.K. However, he will be in excellent hands and we hope he is as big a success at stud for The Yoshida brothers as he was on the racecourse for us. It has been a privilege to have been involved with such a great horse".

Harbinger is recovering well and is a model patient. He should be sound enough to travel within a few months. The required tests for export are ongoing but at an advanced stage.


Approve a possible runner in The Champagne Stakes (Gr 2) at Doncaster

01/09/2010

Highclere are seriously considering supplementing Approve for The Champagne Stakes (Gr 2) at Doncaster on Saturday 11th September. Harry Herbert said today: "We will be looking closely at The Champagne Stakes because we feel that Approve could improve further for a step up to seven furlongs. He is in great shape and has come out of his impressive win in The Gimcrack kicking and bucking. The track at Doncaster should suit him and a final decision will be made on Monday 6th September."


Alan Swinbank joins Highclere roster of trainers

21/08/2010

Highclere have recently acquired a majority share in the exciting two year old filly Tallahasse. Trained by Alan Swinbank, she has won both her starts this year and currently has a Timeform rating of 89p.

Her sire, Acclamation, is having yet another fantastic season and commenting on the acquisition, Harry Herbert said: "I am thrilled to bits to have bought into such an exciting filly and am delighted that she will continue to be trained by Alan Swinbank. Alan has handled a number of top class horses including the great Collier Hill and this year has trained 59 winners on the flat and over jumps. He is well known for being an extremely capable and shrewd handler so we are looking forward to exciting times ahead with Tallahasse".


King George hero Harbinger retired

09/08/2010

Harbinger, the world's highest rated racehorse, has been retired from racing. The four-year-old colt, who won the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes by 11 lengths, suffered a fractured leg on Saturday and underwent surgery at Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket the same day.

Harry Herbert released a statement on Monday afternoon confirming the decision to retire Harbinger.

Herbert said: "It is with regret that it has been decided to retire Harbinger from racing. Thanks to the professionalism of the veterinary surgeons - Bruce Bladon of O'Gorman Slater & Main, Andrew Bathe of Rossdale & Partners and Antony Clements of Baker & McVeigh - the operation which was undertaken at Rossdales Hospital in Newmarket has been very successful.

"We are pleased to report that thankfully the horse is recovering well. The decision to retire Harbinger is based on the welfare of the horse which is paramount to all concerned. The owners, for whom this is very sad, are naturally sorry that their great horse has had his racing career cut short.

"However, Harbinger has given all concerned the ultimate thrill at the very highest level. The highest rated horse in the world, Harbinger won six of his nine starts and is undefeated this year. In winning the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot so impressively and then producing one of the greatest performances of all time to win the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes by 11 lengths in record time, Harbinger has confirmed himself as one of the all time greats."


Harbinger recovering well from surgery

08/08/2010

Harbinger underwent surgery on Saturday 7th August; the procedure was uncomplicated and he is recovering well. Speaking on Sunday, John Warren, Director of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing said: "Harbinger has eaten up, is very comfortable and in very good condition, which is the most important thing."


Harbinger suffers injury following routine canter

07/08/2010

Harbinger, following routine exercise at Newmarket this morning, was found to have fractured his near-fore cannon bone. It was clear on return from the gallops that all was not well and X-rays revealed the fracture.

Harbinger is officially rated the best racehorse in the world following his stunning King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes victory at Ascot two weeks ago and was favourite for the forthcoming Juddmonte International Stakes and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Harry Herbert said: "This is a bitter blow for all twelve of Harbinger's owners and indeed all who are closely connected with the horse, as well as his many fans to whom he has become an icon following his amazing King George victory. A decision as to Harbinger's future will be taken imminently."


Emma Lavelle joins Highclere roster of trainers

05/08/2010

Highclere have acquired exciting chasing prospect Penny Max, who will be trained by Emma Lavelle. Commenting on the launch of the new Penny Max syndicate, Harry Herbert said: "Earlier in the year I asked Emma to keep an eye out for an exciting jumps prospect as I was very keen to add her to Highclere's roster of National Hunt trainers. We were thrilled that she acquired Penny Max, a four year old gelding by top national hunt sire Flemensfirth and look forward to exciting times ahead."

Details of the Penny Max syndicate can be found in the Syndicates section of the website or, alternatively, please contact us on 01488 669166 or email hherbert@highclere.co.uk


Harbinger heads to the Juddmonte International

03/08/2010

Sir Michael Stoute confirmed earlier today that he intends to run Harbinger in The Juddmonte International (Gr 1) at York on Tuesday, 17th August, 2010. Harry Herbert, who is currently away commented: "The plan is for Harbinger to go to York for the Juddmonte International as Sir Michael was keen to get another race into the horse. However, we wouldn't want the ground to become too firm, but hopefully this will not be a problem as it is the first day of York's principal Festival Meeting."


Juddmonte International a possibility for Harbinger

31/07/2010

Harbinger has come out of his highly impressive victory in the King George in great shape and plans are now being formulated as to where he will run next. After seeing Harbinger this morning, Harry Herbert said: "The horse looks really well and Sir Michael reports that he has now put back all of the weight that he lost during the race. He feels that it is too long a gap between now and the Arc for Harbinger not to have another race and with this in mind, we are seriously considering running him in the Juddmonte International on 17th August".


New syndicates to race in 2011

27/07/2010

After a memorable Royal Ascot and the thrill of Harbinger winning the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1) in July, the new syndicates to race in 2011 have been launched with shares available from £6,950 to £36,950; trainers include Andrew Balding, Michael Bell, Luca Cumani, Ed Dunlop, William Haggas, Richard Hannon, Michael Jarvis, Jeremy Noseda and Sir Michael Stoute. Full details of each syndicate can be found in the Info About section of the website where you can download a pdf with all the information or, alternatively, please contact us on 01488 669166 or email hherbert@highclere.co.uk


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