Major Power (left)© Photo Healy Racing
Eddie Lynam announced the retirement of his sprinting star Soffia at Dundalk tonight as the Royal Ascot winning trainer's latest success came with Major Power in the Dundalkstadium.com Apprentice Handicap.
Lynam's stable star from 2019 Soffia made gradual and continuous gains through most of her career, winning a maiden, three handicaps (rated 79,83 and 87), Listed, Group 3 and Group 2 races, in that order, in a 15 race career.
The daughter of Kyllachy was a beaten favourite in her final race when tried at Group 1 level in the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh last September but was subsequently reported to have burst blood vessels.
Lynam today reported “Soffia has gone to stud so she'll be missed.
“She was sold at the end of last season to go to stud and I believe she is going to Frankel. She was a very good filly and ended up European Champion Older Filly for the sprinting division with a rating of 115. Let's hope we can find another one like her.
“She was a slow learner, was placed at two, useful at three and very high class last season.”
Lynam's win in Dundalk's 6.00 race was gained with Major Power, under Shane Crosse, who beat Eacharn by half a length, with the winner's stablemate Masalai filling third place.
Major Power had previously beaten Masalai into second place at the Co Louth venue on January 24 and following today's race Lynam reported “I thought 8lb would probably put the mockers on him (Major Power). I half thought the other horse (Masalai), even though he got 2lb, might turn it around but he's game.
“He'll get another penalty now but it's better waking up on a Monday wondering what they are going to go up rather than what they are going to go down.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
