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| Staff Writer |
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Lord North, the globetrotting sensation trained by John Gosden, has been retired from racing at the age of eight after a stellar career yielding more than US$8 million in prize-money and ten wins, including four at Group One level.
The son of Dubawi will be best remembered for his unprecedented hat-trick of victories in the Gr.1 Dubai Turf on World Cup night at Meydan. His first triumph came in March 2021, when he overcame Vin De Garde under the guidance of Frankie Dettori. The following year, Lord North dead-heated with Panthalassa in a thrilling finish. The hat-trick was completed in 2023 when the pair stormed to victory ahead of Danon Beluga.
Previous winners of the Dubai Turf include Almond Eye, who went on to claim multiple Group One victories in Japan, and Benbatl, who later triumphed in the Gr.1 Caulfield Stakes in Australia.
Lord North's racing career began modestly with a victory under Robert Havlin in a mile novice at Redcar in October 2018. However, he quickly ascended the ranks, achieving his first Group One success in the 2020 Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot. In that race, he defeated Addeybb, who would go on to claim multiple top-level victories himself.
Gosden, who trained Lord North with son Thady since the start of 2022, said: "Lord North has been retired to join Godolphin Rehoming after an illustrious career. He retires a sound horse, but the years have caught up with him."
The talented gelding demonstrated remarkable versatility throughout his career. In 2019, he claimed victory in the fiercely competitive Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket, carrying top weight. Later that year, he made his sole appearance at the Breeders' Cup, finishing a respectable fourth in the Turf.
Gosden added: "He's been a pleasure to train over the years and he's a horse who has always had a lot of character. He's provided his groom and rider Aldir Centuriao as well as head man PJ O'Gorman with a lot of pleasure over the years and they will be sad to see him go, as will all of us at Clarehaven Stables."
Lord North made his final racecourse appearance at Royal Ascot in June, finishing eighth behind Auguste Rodin in the Gr.1 Prince of Wales's Stakes. He was given a fitting send-off at the Henry Cecil Open Weekend on Sunday, where he was a popular attraction as the Gosden yard opened its doors to the public.
"He retires to a great location at Godolphin Rehoming at Wood Ditton, which he knows well having spent two holidays there already," Gosden concluded, ensuring a comfortable retirement for the champion gelding.
As Lord North embarks on his well-deserved retirement, he leaves behind a legacy of consistency, versatility, and international success that will be fondly remembered by racing enthusiasts for years to come.