The Candice Bass-Robinson trained Nightingale has been retired after her last two disappointing runs in the Paddock Stakes and the Sun Met.
Nightingale – seen winning the Majorca at her peak
Michael Clower writes that Nightingale, who gave Candice Bass-Robinson her first Gr1 success in last year’s Klawervlei Majorca, has been retired after running way below form in both the Paddock Stakes and the Sun Met.
Her trainer said: “She had been doing well at home before the Met but in the race she didn’t want to gallop. Her feet weren’t the greatest and maybe she was feeling the very firm ground.”
The Stipes ordered a veterinary examination but nothing showed up and it was the same story after the Paddock Stakes in which she finished with only two behind her. But the Silvano mare won five of her 22 starts and was a close fourth in the Durban July. She should prove a valuable addition to the broodmare ranks for owners Mauritzfontein and Wilgerbosdrift.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift, Nightingale is out of the four-time winning Fort Wood mare, Quickwood.
Ed note – Have a look at #76 on Sunday’s BSA Cape Yearling Sale. The colt named Spring Rain, a son of Soft Falling Rain, is out of a ¾ sister to Gr1 winners Heir Apparent and Athina – as well as to the dam of Nightingale.
