The Gurkha (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}–Chintz {Ire}, by Danehill Dancer {Ire}), will retire to Coolmore Stud in Ireland for 2017 to stand alongside his multiple champion sire after recovering well from colic surgery, the farm announced Wednesday. The winner of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2000 Guineas) at third asking May 15, The Gurkha ran second in Ascot's G1 St. James's Palace S. to G1 2000 Guineas hero Galileo Gold (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}) in June and filled the same position behind Hawkbill (Kitten's Joy) in the G1 Coral-Eclipse S. at Sandown July 2. The Gurkha earned a neck victory over the former in the G1 Qatar Sussex S. at Goodwood before suffering a colic attack in early August. Bred by the Chintz Syndicate in Ireland, The Gurkha's record stands at 6-3-2-1 and earnings of $1,372,915.
“From day one he showed us that he was a top-class colt,” said trainer Aidan O'Brien. “He was always a beautiful mover and physically he was a great shape. He was a Galileo that always had a lot of speed but was also very courageous.”
“He's a very good-looking and good-moving horse, bred on a similar cross to Frankel (GB), out of a group-winning 2-year-old from the family of an excellent sire in Green Dancer and he's European Champion 3-Year-Old Miler elect,” said Coolmore's David O'Loughlin. “What more could you want?”
Out of the G3 C. L. Weld park S. winner Chintz (Ire), The Gurkha is a full-brother to GSP Queen Nefertiti (Ire), while his second dam is French SW Gold Dodger (Slew O'Gold), herself a half-sister to French highweight and G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Solemia (Ire) (Poliglote {GB}), French MGSW Prospect Park (GB) (Sadler's Wells), G2 Prix Greffulhe hero and G1 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris runner-up Prospect Wells (Sadler's Wells) and SWs Brooklyn's Gold (Seeking the Gold) and Never Green (Ire) (Halling).
A fee for The Gurkha will be announced later.
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