Brilliant Battaash Bows Out

Tears flowed at Glorious Goodwood following the running of the King George Qatar Stakes with the announcement that the Charlie Hills-trained superstar Battaash (Dark Angel-Anna Law, by Lawman) is officially retiring, reports racing.com. Despite saddling four-time Gr1 winning sprinter Muhaarar (Oasis Dream-Tahrir, by Linamix), Hills' special bond with Battaash made the decision by his owner Sheikha Hissa Hamdan Al Maktoum even more emotional. With 13 wins from 25 starts, including four Gr1s across the UK and France, and with a lofty bank balance of £1,774,180, Battaash peaked with a Timeform KPI of 129. That rating came after the 2019 Gr1 Nunthorpe Stakes where he lowered the electric Dayjur's 29-year track record and claimed the title as the world's best sprinter. Hills reflected post Battaash's disappointing swansong in the King George, "It's been a great trip, a hell of a journey. We had six years and he was at the top of his game. He had 25 starts and was out of the first four just three times. He's had a top career and this weekend has been emotional.” Hills stated, “His Abbaye win as a three-year-old was probably the standout. That was pretty special, but there were obviously his Nunthorpe victories as well and winning at Royal Ascot. That was a big moment as he'd been beaten in the race twice and then won it." Hills concluded, "They don't come around very often. To have him for so long meant he became very close to everyone at the yard and my family as well, my wife Pip and my sons James and Eddie. It'll be tough. He's the horse of a lifetime."