Racing: Cumani loses High-Rise

LUCA CUMANI described as ``a bit of a shock'' the news yesterday that High-Rise, his Derby winner, is being taken away. The colt is to winter in Dubai and will join Godolphin. High-Rise misses the Breeders' Cup Turf, for which Cumani was preparing him, and will be aimed instead at the Dubai World Cup in March.

A spokesman for Darley Stud in Newmarket said that the owner, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, had decided that High-Rise would be the first Derby winner to run in the World Cup.

High-Rise has run only twice since the Derby, finishing second to Swain in the King George at Ascot in July and seventh, after an unlucky run, in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

Cumani said: "So it is a bit of a shock, but it is totally understandable. It is Sheikh Mohammed's horse and he takes it to Dubai. It's a disappointment for the lads who looked after the horse and worked with him. But we must not dwell on the disappointment. We must remember the great pleasure he has given us.''