LIBRISA BREEZE, winner of Ascot’s Group One Champions Day Sprint last month could be forsaking his beloved Ascot for warmer, international climes abroad, specifically, either Australia or Dubai.
The 5yo son of Mount Nelson was due to go to Hong Kong for next month’s Longines Hong Kong Mile but a minor setback has led to the trip being cancelled. “We weren’t happy with him as there was a little bit of heat in one of his legs and he’s not 100 per cent. For such a nice horse to go all the way over there and not run to his full potential would be a shame, so we’ve decided not to go.”
There is an invitation to Australia in March but there is also the option of Dubai for the 119-rated star, owned by Brighton Chairman, Tony Bloom so connections have a lovely geographical and racing dilemma to consider!
Librisa Breeze has enjoyed a fabulous two years, mainly at Ascot, where last year saw him come second in the Royal Hunt Cup before winning two valuable handicaps, the Tote International and the Totescoop Challenge Cup, both overt 7f. Then to top all that, he beat Tasleet by one and a quarter lengths to win the Quipco British Champions Sprint Stakes at the royal course.
Robert Winston said after winning on him on Champions Day that he knew Breeze was a Group One horse the moment he sat on him. How right he was! This was no “the benefit of hindsight” boastings of a young jockey but the words of wisdom from a nearly Champion Jockey in 2005 but for a fall at Ayr. The horse has rejuvenated the career of Robert, who won the 2016 Lesters Best Ride Of The Year on Librisa Breeze in the Totescoop Challenge Cup.
Wherever Breeze goes next in 2018, it’s sure to be warmer than Ascot!