Notable Retirees: 2005 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Lonhro

The decision to retire the younger brother of champion racehorse Lonhro was made in January 2005. The colt had been out of racing due to a tendon injury, and connections made the decision not to attempt a comeback. Niello won three G1 races.

Answer: A respiratory complaint

Grand Armee was bought at the 2000 Australian Easter Yearling Sale. He won a total of 13 races, 7 of those in G1 category. One of his more notable victories was when he became the second horse in history since the legendary Tulloch to win two consecutive Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Trained by Gai Waterhouse and owned by veterinary surgeon, Alan Bell, Grand Armee was retired because of a respiratory complaint.

Answer: No

Although he never won a race in G1 company, he still managed to weave his way into the hearts of his followers. Trained by Tony Noonan, Gunnamatta went on to win three consecutive Mornington Cups. He was retired at the age of eight after failing to win a fourth Mornington Cup.

Answer: Danehill

Elvstroem returned from an international campaign in August to stand at stud at Blue Gum Stud in Euroa, Victora. The international star farewelled racing with a fourth place in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in Paris. Some of his more notable wins were in a G1 race in Dubai, the Victoria Derby and the Caufield Cup.

He won a total of 10 races in 32 starts. Five of these wins were in G1 company.

Answer: Emirates Park Stud

Al Maher was only just starting to leave his mark on the Australian racing industry when connection decided to retire the colt and send him off for stud duties. His most notable wins in the G1 Cadbury Guineas over 1600m at Flemington. Al Maher was bred at the Emirates Park Stud by His Excellency Nassah Lootah from Danehill, and was three-quarter brother to champion Redoute's Choice.

Answer: No

A second place run in the Newmarket Handicap to rival Alinghi was all that stopped the impressive colt from winning the G1 Sprinting Triple Crown in 2005. Fastnet Rock was retired after connections failed to prepare the colt for international duties in England due to travel sickness. He was retired to stand at stud at Coolmore Stud.

Answer: England

Makybe Diva was born in March, 1999 in England. The following year, she was sent to Australia and trained under David Hall. She was promptly retired following her legendary win of her third consecutive Melbourne Cup, a feat never before managed. This victory was her 15th in 36 starts.

After her first Melbourne Cup victory, training rights went to Lee Freedman, under who she made her most impressive wins. She was retired with a purses that set a new Australian record.

Answer: Graeme Rogerson

Winner of the 2004 Cox Plate, Savabeel never came back up to form and was retired in the autumn of 2005 and sent to Waikato Stud in New Zealand for stud duties. He won in 14 starts under trainer Graeme Rogerson.

Answer: Coolmore Stud

The filly won a total of 8 Group races in her three year old campaign under the watchful eye of trainer Lee Freedman. Three of these races were in G1 company. Special Harmony was retired to Coolmore Stud after tearing a suspensory ligament while racing in her winter Queensland campaign.

Answer: Unplaced

The Diva lost her first maiden race, not winning a race under trainer David Hall until August 2002, when she broke her maiden in a race at Wangaratta. She then went on to win three Melbounre Cups, a Cox Plate, the Australian cup and The BMW. Makybe Diva was crowned Australian Horse of the Year for the season 2004-2005.