Godolphin press release.....
LEADING SPRINTER SONSTER RETIRES TO DARLEY
06 August 2007
The hugely-impressive Grade Two winner Songster has been retired and will join the Darley stallion roster for the 2008 season. The black Godolphin four-year-old was among the USA's most exciting sprinters following two clear-cut and fast-time victories in Graded Stakes at three and an impressive win in his only start this year. A fee for Songster will be set at a later date.
Only once out of the exacta in eight career starts, Songster showed his brilliance early on in his sophomore season winning impressively at seven furlongs on his debut at Gulfstream. Later that year, he led at every call to win the six furlong G3 Hirsch Jacobs at Pimlico – geared down but by ten lengths, in 1:09.72. Next time out, back at seven furlongs, he came from off the pace to defeat Too Much Bling by two lengths in the G2 Woody Stephens Breeders' Cup at Belmont. His time: 1:21.45. He returned in the G3 Bold Ruler at Belmont, taking it under a hand ride by two-and-a-half lengths in 1:08.9. Mike Watchmaker, of the Daily Racing Form, listed Songster at the top of his weekly divisional ratings for sprinters, but injury has denied the colt a favorite's shot at the fall's championship sprints.
A son of Songandaprayer, Songster's pedigree combines two of the leading speed influences of the day in Unbridled's Song and French Deputy. A Florida bred from the family of G1 sire Slewpy, he sold for US$200,000 as a yearling. Charlie Boden, Darley's nominations manager said, 'It's disappointing Songster won't be able to challenge for championship honors, but he's a really exciting stallion prospect. He's great looking, a natural athlete, with top class form and commercial bloodlines. It will be a thrill to welcome him to Darley.'
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