Showjumping beckons for retired champion Lankan Rupee

Ben Dorries - Sunday October 15

Five-time Group I winning sprinter Lankan Rupee could have a future as a showjumper after being retired from racing.

Advertisement
Five-time Group I winner Lankan Rupee has been retired and could become a showjumper Photo: Darryl Sherer

Trainer Mick Price felt it was the right time to call stumps on the grand campaigner's career after he ran sixth in the Group II Schillaci Stakes won by Super Cash at Caulfield on Saturday.

Lankan Rupee won eight times at stakes level and won the TJ Smith Stakes, Oakleigh Plate, Manikato Stakes, Newmarket Handicap and Lightning Stakes at Group I level.

However the eight-year-old gelding hadn't won since his Lightning Stakes win at Flemington in February 2015 where he beat Brazen Beau and Deep Field.

Lankan Rupee, who won over $4million in his racing career, is now likely to be schooled as a showjumper with Price's 14-year-old daughter Georgia keen to ride him.

"He's finished, we don't need to go banging around for prizemoney," Price told Melbourne radio station RSN.

"He was only going to run in the good races, I wasn't going to let him go down.

"He is probably going to go home – Georgia is 14 and had her eye on him for a fair while.

"There could also be a home for him at Living Legends (champion horse retirement property) as they have asked about him.

"I would think if he doesn't make a happy showjumping type of horse he may be at Living Legends."

Although he has lost one former superstar horse from the racetrack, Price has gained an up-and-coming star with Saturday's Group I Caulfield Guineas winner Mighty Boss.

However Price is not convinced too many studs are going to come knocking to try to buy his $101 Guineas winner.

"The Caulfield Guineas does not hold the colt status it used to, I'm not thinking too far ahead. If a stud (deal) comes, it comes," Price said.

"I own 10 percent of him and I did that as I had a bit of a man crush on him.

"The horse just had a really good week and we had the timing exactly right."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Metro Winner Adds to Yes Yes Yes Spring Surge
October is shaping as a great month for Gooree Stud’s new addition Yes Yes Yes with the 2019 Everest hero reeling off four winners in the past week including Maybe Moet, who saluted at Randwick on Wednesday.
Cambridge Stud Mare Primed for Return
Patience has been a key factor in the rise of Jaarffi to the elite level and she’s in good order to open her six-year-old campaign at Rotorua.
RAM Racing Join Forces with Newgate and GPI Racing for Everest
Western Australia’s RAM Racing have joined forces with Newgate and GPI Racing in their 2025 TAB Everest slot, reuniting with Group 1-winning sprinter Overpass and are set to bring a wave of loyal supporters from the west.
Hot Lots Day 3 - Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1
The Tattersalls October Yearling Sale third and final session kicks off tonight our time and for those interested in the number one yearling sale in Europe we are taking a look at some of the yearlings tipped to top each day.
Three 2.2million Guineas Colts Top Second Day of Tattersalls Book 1 - Two by Wootton Bassett
The second day of Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale saw a further six lots realise seven-figure prices headed by a trio of colts, two by the late WOOTTON BASSETT, both bought by Amo Racing, and one by FRANKEL, at 2,200,000 guineas. The average was an impressive 352,672 guineas.
Yulong Purchase into Enriched - Inglis October (Early) Sale
Three individual shares in the G2-winning entire Enriched sold for a combined $440,000 in a highly successful Inglis Digital October (Early) Online Sale today.
Wootton Bassett 3YO Impresses at Avondale
Promising three-year-old Kygo Star overcame a wide journey to come out on top in a tight finish in the Allspark Electrical Maiden 3YO (1400m) at Avondale on Wednesday.
Andy Caps positive week for Alwyn Park
Alwyn Park Stud owner John Andrew has received a positive post-script to Magnificent Andy’s victory in the inaugural $1 million Golden Saddle (1200m) at Kalgoorlie on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 8
Here is the full list of 48 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Magic 2YO Winner for Te Akau
David Ellis and Te Akau Racing spent over $5million on 17 yearlings at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale earlier this year and they unleashed their first winner from the group at Avondale on Wednesday.