Nicconi (Aus)

Multiple Group 1 winner Nature Strip (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}--Strikeline {Aus}, by Desert Sun {GB}), who is best known in the Northern Hemisphere as the winner of the 2022 G1 King's Stand S. at Royal Ascot, has been retired, trainer Chris Waller announced on Saturday. The 9-year-old gelding finished sixth in the G3 Concorde S. at Royal Randwick earlier in the day. Several of his owners, including Ron Lyons, were at the track when Waller made the announcement. "I'm announcing Nature Strip's retirement on behalf of the owners... It's only fitting...

There was as much drama at the start of the G1 King's Stand S. as there was a lack of it at the end, where Nature Strip (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}) and James McDonald emerged triumphant for Australia in a show of power to remind Royal Ascot what it had been missing. With the 15-8 favourite Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) blowing his chance at the start and Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) losing his rider there, the Australian maestro's biggest concern was the presence of the latter as he joined him...