Ghaiyyath Retired to Stud After Muscle Soreness

Godolphin has announced that Ghaiyyath, one of the highest-rated horses in the world, has retired to Darley's Kildangan Stud in Ireland. Previously set to run on the British Champions Day at Ascot and in the Breeders' Cup Turf, things changed as the five-year-old has been pulled out of the mix. The decision to retire him came after he developed muscle soreness immediately after a routine piece of work.

His trainer, Charlie Appleby had a lot to say about this decision. He expressed disappointment because Ghaiyyath will no longer be competing at the Breeders' Cup but also acknowledged that it had been a long season, which started in Dubai in January and the strain was starting to show.

Charlie also expressed how joyous it was for him to have watched him on the course every single time. He was full of praise for Ghaiyyath, referencing his nine wins out of thirteen races and also, his high-class cruising speed and relentless style of galloping.

It has been an amazing career run for Ghaiyyath who won the Autumn Stakes as a juvenile in 2017. That same year, he opened his group 1 account in Grosser Preis von Baden and struck in the Prix du Prince d'Orange at three. 2020 has been an explosive year for him as he won the Dubai Millennium Stakes at Meydan with a ridiculously wide margin. At the Coronation Cup at Newmarket, he also went on to defeat the 2019 Derby hero, Anthony Van Dyck. These victories were followed up with the wins at Sandown and in the Juddmonte International at York. Both displays were memorable as he got the better of Enable in the Eclipse at Sandown and defeated Magical, Lord North, and Kameko in a three-length romp.

Ghaiyyath is perhaps the highest rated this year globally. William Buick who rode Ghaiyyath 11 of his 13 career starts also shares that point of view. William led the horse to eight of his nine victories and attests to his flamboyant and explosive nature. The fact that he was able to maintain his pace over a mile and a half, made William crown him as one of the best middle-distance horses he has ever ridden.

The managing director of Godolphin in Ireland, Joe Osborne is delighted to have the son of the outstanding Dabawi on his roster, standing at Kildangan Stud next season. He is convinced that Ghaiyyath will be a sough-after option for breeders following his superior ability as a racehorse and also his looks.

Ghaiyyath comes from a very successful family line - Dubawi-Galileo. This is the same cross that delivered the Classic winner, Night of Thunder, who is a new sensation for the Darley team.

Ghaiyyath was part of the Moulton Paddocks team whose numerous successes brought joy and pleasure to the faces of the team members, riders, and their Principal, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed.

This retirement from racing came as a shock following him putting up three of the four best performances in racing this year. More was expected from Ghaiyyath seeing that he already started the year on an excellent note. However, a breed of his will likely emerges soon to give us another exceptional display in horseracing.