Trainer Freddy Head has been forced to call time on the career of multiple Group 1-winning miler Solow (GB) (Singspiel {Ire}–High Maintenance {Fr}, by Highest Honor {Fr}). During a sensational 2015 campaign, the Wertheimer and Frere homebred gelding claimed five Group 1 in a row and looked impregnable in Europe, winning twice at Ascot in the G1 Queen Anne S. and G1 Queen Elizabeth II S., and also triumphing in the G1 Sussex S. at Glorious Goodwood. His career was halted by injury after he won on his comeback run at Chantilly in March last year, and Head has admitted defeat in his attempts to get him back on a racecourse.
“We just couldn't get him back to where he was and didn't want to risk injuring him again,” said Head. “He was too good to risk, so we've called it a day. He won five Group 1s, picking one out is hard, maybe the Sussex S. at Goodwood or the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot. He was most impressive in Dubai, but that form probably wasn't as strong. To do what he did in those six months, he was a real champion and he retires having won his last 10 races.”
Added Head, “Even in his last race he was impressive, it didn't look like he could win from where he was. He was one of the best, if not the best, I've trained, and I've had the likes of Goldikova (Ire), Moonlight Cloud (GB) and Charm Spirit (Ire). During those six months I think he was unbeatable. I think he was just by himself. It's sad but maybe for the best, he's retired in one piece.”
Highweighted in both France and the UAE, Solow also claimed top-level victories in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan and in Meydan's G1 Dubai Turf in 2015. He also captured the 2014 editions of the G2 Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein and G3 Prix Quincey Lucien Barriere en route to $6,287,999 in earnings and a record of 18-13-2-1.
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