Racing: Sussex hero Buddy to start stud career

Reel Buddy, the moody chestnut who gave Pat Eddery a brilliant Group One victory in the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood last week, is to be immediately rewarded by being sent to stud and has run his last race, it was disclosed yesterday.

He arrived late on the scene to plunder the Group One prize on Wednesday, beating Statue Of Liberty and Norse Dancer by a head and a short head. The victory sparked emotional scenes as the soon-to-retire Eddery returned to the winner's enclosure.

Richard Hannon, who trains the five-year-old, said at Newbury yesterday that the horse is set for a stud career in Ireland. Hannon went on: "There have been a few enquiries and now he's got his Group One it makes sense to call it quits."

Real Buddy is certainly a character - often headstrong and needing to be held up at the rear before being produced very late. He often needs to go down early to the start - but must always be last into the stalls. He resents being hit with a whip. "You cannot give him a smack as he will pull up with you," Eddery said after their big win last week.

Despite this, he won nine times including a Group Three race. Now he has hit the jackpot in a Group One, however, Reel Buddy is off to stud.

Hannon said: "He's been unlucky in that he should have won more Group races. I know Pat has come back crying on a few occasions he's ridden him."

Top flight victories continue to prove elusive this season for Godolphin, who are still looking for their 100th Group One win after Highdown dead-heated for second place behind Ransom O'War in the Grosser Dallmayr Preis in Munich yesterday.

A Group Two winner in Munich and second in the German Derby, Ransom O'War made steady headway to lead inside the final furlong. He ran on for a clear-cut success for Hong Kong rider Stanley Chin.

The winner, a 3.4-1 chance on the German Tote, began his career with Mark Johnston at Middleham, winning on the Southwell all-weather last November, before transferring to Erika Mader in Germany.

Highdown dead-heated with another domestic challenger, Epalo, but Frankie Dettori's mount would probably have been second outright if traffic problems had not materialised. The Aidan O'Brien-trained Black Sam Bellamy was a big disappointment, finishing fifth.

At Deauville yesterday, Bright Sky cut down Six Perfections in the closing stages to snatch victory by a neck in the Group Two Prix d'Astarte.

The Pascal Bary-trained Six Perfections has been unfortunate to lose two Classics this season, having had no luck in running in both the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas.

All looked to be going to plan yesterday as Thierry Thulliez sent her to the front a furlong or so from home. But Dominique Boeuf followed her through on Bright Sky, who really picked up well in the final furlong to seal victory for trainer Elie Lellouche.

* Galway's festival meeting ended yesterday with records broken, including betting turnover at the track in excess of €23.5million (£16m) for the week. Bookmakers handled well over €16m during the seven-day session and the Tote also did unprecedented business to the tune of more that €7.5m.

RICHARD EDMONDSON

Nap: Blakeseven

(Windsor 8.30)

NB: Arzoo

(Ripon 3.45)