Smart seeks a jockey for Gerrard’s Temple tilt

May 13 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

CAPTAIN Gerrard will have a new jockey when he bids for more success in the Betfred.com Temple Stakes at Haydock on May 24.

Bryan Smart’s fast-improving sprinter secured a hat-trick of victories when he held off Sakhee’s Secret on his seasonal reappearance in Group Three contest at Newmarket last week.

But the Oasis Dream colt will need a new jockey at Haydock as regular pilot Tom Eaves will be banned.

Smart said: “I’m obviously very disappointed as Tom’s won his last three races on him. He got four days when the lad that caused the interference only got two.

“We’ll have to look elsewhere and Ryan Moore and Richard Mullen have won on him, they’re two capable jockeys and I’ll discuss it with Reg and Charlie Bond and make a decision. He might not go there if it’s hard, but if we do get a drop of rain I’d love to run him. He’s in great form.”

Meanwhile legendary sire Sadler’s Wells will be retired from stud duties due to his declining fertility.

Coolmore have decided that the 27-year-old son of Northern Dancer will stay at their Stud in retirement where he has stood since the end of the 1985 Flat season.

Sadler’s Wells has been the champion sire in Britain and Ireland a record-breaking 14 times, including 13 years in succession.

Coolmore manager Christy Grassick said: “I think Sadler’s Wells is generally acknowledged as the best sire Europe has ever seen and we feel very privileged to have been associated with him.

“Despite his advancing years, he is still in remarkably good condition and I hope he enjoys a long and happy retirement. His influence will be felt for many years to come and in Galileo, Montjeu and High Chaparral, we are delighted to have his three best sons at Coolmore.”

Sadler’s Wells, sired by Northern Dancer and out of Fairy Bridge, was foaled in the United States in 1981.

Vincent O’Brien trained him in Ireland during his racing career when he won six of his 11 starts earning more than £575,000 in prize-money. He won the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes.

One son of Sadler’s Wells – Aidan O’Brien’s Kingdom Of Naples – is a live contender for this year’s Vodafone Derby and makes his first start of the season in Thursday’s totesport.com Dante Stakes at York.

TODAY’S NAP: At The Money (6.50pm Great Leighs).