RACING NEWS: JIMMY FORTUNE has paid tribute to his old ally Raven's Pass and believes the Breeders' Cup Classic winner had little more he needed to achieve in his career.
Fortune missed out on the glory at Santa Anita but partnered the chestnut for 10 of his 12 career starts including the victory in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and the agonising defeats to Aidan O'Brien's Henrythenavigator in the Sussex and the St James's Palace Stakes.
Raven's Pass was officially retired yesterday and will stand at his owner Sheikh Mohammed's Kildangan Stud next year.
"I had some great days on him, and he did nothing but improve from his first start," said Fortune.
"Things didn't go right in the Guineas and to be fair to Henrythenavigator, he sluiced up at Royal Ascot.
"He used to be very keen but I felt John Gosden did an absolutely fantastic job on him to get him starting to enjoy his racing. If he had been with a lesser trainer, I don't think he would have achieved what he did, as John Gosden is so good with young horses.
"We maybe missed a couple of opportunities, but that's what made him the horse he is. I still don't think we had seen the best of him but (in terms of his value) it wouldn't really matter what he did as a four-year-old - he could have won six Group Ones - and you have to respect the owner's decision."
Jimmy Hyland, the stud's general manager, said: "We are thrilled and it is exciting news for the stud - we are grateful to Sheikh Mohammed for deciding to send him here. He is a great addition and incentive for Irish breeders."
