David Wachman has called time on the racing career of last season's champion Irish two-year-old filly Damson who has been retired to stud.
Damson was unbeaten in her first four starts as a two year old, including providing her trainer with the first Group One triumph of his career in the Phoenix Stakes as well as winning the Group Three Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.
As a result she was strongly fancied for this year's 1,000 Guineas but was taken out of the classic just days before the race. Three starts since then have failed to result in a win and the decision has been taken to retire the filly.
"Maybe she was slightly unlucky in the spring when she couldn't run in the Guineas but that doesn't matter now," said Wachman yesterday. "She won a Group One, a Group Three and a Listed so I only wish I had a few more like her."
Damson finished her juvenile career as Ireland's top juvenile filly and only Divine Proportions was rated higher in Europe. Her first start at three resulted in a promising run in the Irish Guineas but although she started favourite for the Coronation Stakes at York Damson could only seventh to Maids Causeway. A final start in the Phoenix Sprint saw her finish out of the money.
Wachman hasn't ruled out his unbeaten two-year-old colt Heatseeker from taking on Horatio Nelson in next month's National Stakes. "He missed the Futurity after scooping dirty and we will see how quickly he comes back from that before deciding on the Curragh," he said.
The Prix la Foret at Longchamp over the Arc weekend remains a possible return date for the Greenham winner Indesatchel but Wachman insisted that the ground conditions will be a major influence on that.
Indesatchel, runner-up to Shamardal in the French Guineas in May, has shown a liking for soft ground in his career.
The most valuable contest at today's Downpatrick fixture is the €12,500 handicap over a mile and a half which could see some famous colours emerge on top.
The Vinnie Roe silks of the acclaimed film director Jim Sheridan will be carried by Proper Article who may pick up the first race of his career.
Dermot Weld used the horse as a pacemaker for Vinnie Roe in the Listed Ballyroan Stakes earlier this month and Proper Article did that job to the three furlong pole before dropping away.
But in the circumstances he ultimately wasn't beaten that far behind the Group One winner Chelsea Rose, the Leger hope Shalapour and Vinnie Roe himself.
In a race like this Proper Article looks to hold a good chance in his own right and can continue Pat Smullen's run of success.
Smullen has also got the ride on Thunder Road in the grandiosely titled Ulster Cesarewitch and Pat Fahy's mare is only rated 9b higher than when winning on her last flat start at Ballinrobe.
Ruby Walsh is on Dan The Liberator in the opening maiden hurdle and this one's run behind Keelaghan at Tramore gives him a big chance against Monsignor Phil.
The champion jockey's mount in the mares maiden is Madam Leader but Lorna's Star's jumping experience could prove crucial in this.
