HOUTZEN - THE SADNESS AT THE END OF THE TRAIL IS TEMPERED BY GLORIOUS MEMORIES ALONG THE WAY

By Toby Edmonds with Graham Potter | Tuesday, June 25, 2019

The heartfelt sadness experienced by the Toby Edmonds stable as their time with their star performer Houtzen’s comes to an end is tempered by the glorious memories that the mare gave them to cherish and the ‘life changing’ role she played in the lives. Here Toby Edmonds gives HRO’s Graham Potter a very frank final wrap of Houtzen’s English adventure

“Houtzen’s Royal Ascot mission It was an amazing experience, on and off the track. Everything was planned for us and we were looked after super well. We couldn’t complain about a thing.

“Adrian Beaumont, from the International Racing Board … is an unbelievable guy. If we needed anything, he was the first to help. He couldn’t have been better. International horse transport was also spectacular. They handled everything … from our feed to ice machines. We thank them heaps.

“It is just unfortunate that Houtzen didn’t perform. I’m not sure how she would have raced if she didn’t have that stumble at the start but, in essence, it was all a learning experience for us.

“If I had it over again, I probably should have given her a run prior to the King’s Stand. It might have just topped her off for the day because she got there and ended up quite agitated.

“They do things differently over there. Our horses are at the track two or three hours before they race and they have got time to get rid of that nervous energy they might have when arriving. Over there they can pull up in a float quite late and come in to race.

“While she was on course at Ascot away from the crowd she walked up, got saddled up and went straight out and she was a bit hot. So that procedure might take a bit to get used to … but, I would give her a run beforehand if I had my time again.

“At the other end of the story … was she good enough to be there?

“The biggest thing we took out of the answer to that question is that you need a really top line sprinter for a race like that. Our sprinters who have gone there before have been top line … like Takeover Target, Choisir, Black Caviar … they were all top line Group 1 runners.

“We did think that maybe, because of The Everest and all of these other high prize-money races might have attracted some attention from Europe and lured a couple of the big guns away from a race like the King’s Stand … but it didn’t happen.

“I suppose you can also hope that you can strike a weak year … but the truth of the matter is they are never weak and, as I say, you need a really top line sprinter for a race like that.

“I do think Houtzen might have finished two or three lengths closer if she didn’t stumble. We also probably drew the wrong side of the track. I’m sure our side wasn’t the best side because everything went to the middle of the track. Even Battaash, who sat right behind us … when he peeled off, he peeled towards the inside and joined in with the horses over on the inside … but, again, we’ve got nothing to complain about.

“We gave it our best shot.”

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HRO Comments:

It was confirmed yesterday that Houtzen would have one more race in England but that she would transferred to the stable of Martyne Meade for that final run which will be in the Group 2 King George Stakes at Goodwood on August 2. The plan then is for Houtzen to be served by Lope De Vega. The Australian trained Ortensia (Paul Messara) won the King George in 2012.

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The stable's farewell tribute to Houtzen

While there was a definite sadness in his tone when Toby Edmonds gave his final appraisal of events, it was perhaps the facebook post of his son, Trent Edmonds, who had travelled to England with Houtzen in March and who has been the stable’s man on the spot for the last three months, which best served as the stable’s farewell tribute to Houtzen.

The post reads … ‘Houtzen- life changing, many memories made, Millions win, Slipper Favourite, Everest runner, dads first group winner, she won’t go down as a champion of the turf but Jesus she’s been so good for us, she’s our champion that’s for sure. First horse in the morning you find, and last one you check before you leave. The reason to bounce out of bed every day. Their careers can’t go on forever so it is going to be so hard to let you go, You couldn’t possibly know how much you’ve done or what it means to our family. Thank you for all you achieved, love you to bits Alisha.'

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