Tag Archive for: Scenic

Setback signals the end of Scenic’s racing career

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Ed Walker’s high-class filly Scenic has been retired after suffering a setback, her owners Wathnan Racing have announced.

The daughter of Lope De Vega had made a fine start to her five-year-old campaign, with a Group Three triumph in York’s Bronte Cup prompting the Wathnan team to purchase her from previous owner David Ward.

She made a promising debut for her new connections when pushing red-hot favourite Estrange all the way in the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock and was being readied for the Lillie Langtry Stakes at next week’s Qatar Goodwood Festival, but her racing career has come to an abrupt end.

Wathnan Racing’s adviser, Richard Brown, said: “Scenic put up a career-best performance last time out and it wasn’t unreasonable to hope for some even greater days ahead, but it’s not to be.

“She will spend some time recuperating before joining the Wathnan broodmare band. She’s one of the best fillies in an exceptional Classic family of broodmares, so the dream now is of big successes with her progeny.”

Goodwood assignment pencilled in for Scenic

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Scenic will head to the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood after pushing Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe contender Estrange all the way at Haydock.

Ed Walker’s five-year-old was beaten only a neck by David O’Meara’s stable star when having her first outing for new owners Wathnan Racing in the Group Two Lancashire Oaks, with her handler hailing her consistency.

The duo could clash again in the Yorkshire equivalent on the Knavesmire next month, but first Scenic will head to the Sussex Downs on August 2, as she embarks on what could be the final stages of her career.

“I was thrilled with her and very proud of her, it was a huge run in new ownership,” said Walker.

“She heads to the Lillie Langtry now. I was devastated she was beaten, but Richard Brown (Wathnan’s racing adviser) was delighted as it means she won’t have a penalty at Goodwood.

“She’s a real star and a yard favourite. She’s helped fly the flag for us for a few years and has been seriously consistent since winning the Galtres Stakes at York, it was almost like that was a turning point in her career. I don’t know why, but since then has barely put a foot wrong and if anything is improving.

“I’m excited about her and the three races for her really are the Lillie Langtry, Yorkshire Oaks and Prix de Royallieu. I imagine they will be the last three runs of her career, she’s a star.”