Racing: Stud career on the cards

Discussions are ongoing over the future stud career of Ocean Park who was retired after tendon injury in the Dubai Duty Free.

"Looking at the leg you wouldn't know there's anything the matter with it, all the heat's gone and he's skipping around his yard without a care in the world," said Gary Hennessy, who is with the horse in England.

"If he was a gelding you'd be making plans for once he's recovered, but the fact is he's a colt, he's proven himself and I'd never forgive myself if I did the wrong thing with him. It's unfortunate, but it's the wise decision to retire him."

Hennessy shares in the ownership of the multiple Group One winner and reigning Cox Plate champion with Andrew Wong and Steve Yan, both of Hong Kong.

"There are a couple of parties that we're talking to but nothing has been confirmed yet," he said.

"There's still a bit to work through and I've got to include my two partners in any decisions."

Ocean Park arrived in England at the weekend and is currently stabled at Jane Chapple-Hyam's Abington Place before he goes into quarantine for three weeks. He will then travel back to Australia for a second three-week quarantine stay.

Hennessy admitted to being rocked by the end of Ocean Park's racing career and what might have been for the son of Thorn Park. "It was pretty upsetting to know the dream was over. Now being up here in England I can only imagine what it would have been like making plans to race in Europe.

"What I do know is that he's got a CV that any potential stallion would be proud to own. He's had only eight starts this season and won five Group Ones, he's got a stallion's pedigree and is by a champion stallion from a Zabeel mare with another champion stallion O'Reilly in his family.

"He's got a lovely temperament and a huge turn of foot. Along with everything else that's what studs want."