Dual TAB Australian Cup winner Cascadian retires

Trainer James Cummings said that the decision to retire Cascadian was a difficult one, but ultimately in the horse’s best interest. “It’s a few weeks since the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and I can just sense he’s still a bit tired from his most recent prep,” the trainer said in a statement from Godolphin.

 “Normally he would just go for a spell and then we would bring him back.

 “But we did agree before the commencement of this preparation that it should be his last.

“Great to see, considering he rose to beat an exceptional field in an outstanding edition of the Australian Cup.” - James Cummings

Just one of eight horses to achieve back-to-back Australian Cup wins in the race’s 161-year history, Cascadian is a stable favourite who will be missed, but his legacy will be honoured in his new role as flagbearer in the Godolphin Lifetime Care program.

Godolphin’s Lifetime Care rehoming program takes in retirees that have worn Godolphin’s famous royal blue colours and retrains them for a life after racing.

In the program, they embark on the next phase of life – not so much a life of retirement, but a life open to opportunity.

Finding a good post-racing home is a high priority, as is the promotion of the versatility of the thoroughbred breed in various non-racing endeavours.

Godolphin Australia bloodstock manager Jason Walsh envisages even more success in the next chapter of Cascadian’s life in his new role.

“We take pride in promoting the thoroughbred as part of our Godolphin Lifetime Care program and I cannot think of a better example of the versatility of a thoroughbred than Cascadian,” Walsh said.

“He’ll join that program as a flagbearer, a horse with his profile after his contribution.

“One of our objectives will be to place him in an environment where he can continue to contribute like he has on the racecourse.

“He’s the kind of rare animal that whatever he turns his hand to, he will be a success.

“It’s exciting to think what the next phase of his career might look like.

“Whatever that is, I’m sure he will give it his best as he has for so many years on the racecourse.”

With rehoming centres in Europe, Australia, America and Japan, the opportunities for successful transition from the racetrack are wide reaching.

Many thoroughbreds go on to successful alternative careers once their racing days are over, such as dual Group 1 winner Reckless Abandon in the UK, who, after proving sub-fertile at stud, was retrained to become a high-quality polo horse.

Eventing, show jumping and even working daily with birds of prey are other careers that horses have enjoyed.

2018 Lexus Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter was a star on the track, but as a gelding there would be no career at stud for him. So he too was sent to the Godolphin Lifetime Care program in the UK, becoming its ambassador. He represents the program at racecourses, parades and through the Retraining of Racehorses competition program.

Other Godolphin greats Kementari, Hartnell, Osborne Bulls, Hauraki, It’s Somewhat, Avilius, Best Of Days and Trekking have also entered the program.

But the Lifetime Care program isn’t just reserved for big name retirees, with stakes winners Etymology and Allergic finding new homes, as did the unraced Bramerel, one-start maiden Cul De Sac and maiden winner Condemned.

The first stop for all retirees is the rehoming centre for some rest and relaxation. When they do return to work, it is at a much gentler tempo than they experienced in a racing stable, while the facilitators look for strengths in particular disciplines that will guide each horse to its new home.

Once a suitable applicant is found for a horse, they are invited to ‘test drive’ them while the Lifetime Care team assesses the compatibility of the new couple. If everything falls into place, the horse can move on to its new home.

As for Cascadian, after finishing his career as the winner of 12 races, with 15 placings and prize-money earnings of $10.85 million, a well-deserved break is on the cards before his new life beckons.

CASCADIAN (GB) 

Chestnut Gelding 

Foaled  26/03/2015

Sire  New Approach (IRE) 

Dam  Falls Of Lora (IRE) (Street Cry (IRE)) 

Trainers  André Fabre (FR), James Cummings (AUS) 

Breeder  Godolphin 

Owners  Godolphin 

CAREER STATISTICS 

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS