Royal Descent Retired From Racing

Consistent mare Royal Descent has been retired from racing after suffering a mild tendon strain.

Royal Descent scored the biggest win of her racing career to date in the 2013 Australian Oaks. Photo by Steve Hart

Royal Descent scored the biggest win of her racing career to date in the 2013 Australian Oaks. Photo by Steve Hart

Royal Descent was included in the nominations for the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) that were released last week and she was set to contest a barrier trial at Royal Randwick on Friday, but she was found with a tendon strain and connections made the decision to retire her immediately rather than bring her back for a spring campaign.

Trainer Chris Waller has always had a soft spot for Royal Descent and he was quick to pay credit to the Group 1 winning mare as well as her owners Gerry Harvey and his Katie Page-Harvey.

“She will be remembered as one of Australia’s best ever mares, recording an ATC Oaks victory when defeating Dear Demi, as well as recording right Group 1 placings,” Waller said in a statement.

“Mr Harvey has indicated the mare will now head to Westbury Stud in New Zealand and be served by emerging stallion Swiss Ace.

“Mr Harvey advised he has been incredibly impressed by the statistics of Swiss Ace’s progeny thus far and we are sure she will continue her success as a broodmare.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of those who have been involved in her career, especially Mr Gerry Harvey and his wife Mrs Katie Page-Harvey who have been tremendous in their support as well as allowing the racing public to enjoy the career of such a wonderful mare.”

Royal Descent made her racing debut with a win at Canterbury in December of 2012 and just fourth months later she went on to take out the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 13 before she demolished a quality field to win the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) by ten lengths.

She was unable to record a race win during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival, but she finished a close second behind Streama in the Group 1 George Main Stales (1600m) and she added another Group 1 placing to her resume when she finished second behind Sacred Falls in the 2014 edition of the Doncaster Mile (1600m).

Royal Descent finished second in both the George Main Stakes and Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival before she was third in the Doncaster Mile and Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) last year.

The perennial bridesmaid finally returned to winning form in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on August 22 and she finished second in both the George Main Stakes and the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m), but she was sent to the spelling paddock after she had no luck in both the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m).

Royal Descent finished her racing career with five wins and 15 placings from 31 race starts, while she was able to accumulate over $2.6 million in prizemoney for connections.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.