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| Staff Writer |
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Tahiyra, the filly who achieved classic success, has officially retired. Her valiant effort in chasing Big Rock during the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Saturday marked the final chapter of her illustrious racing career, which included victories in four Group One races. Despite her courageous display, victory eluded her on this occasion.
Dermot Weld, the trainer behind 24 British and Irish Classic wins, considers Tahiyra to be one of his best horses. He specifically highlighted her impressive win as the standout moment in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, where she emerged as the favorite and emerged victorious.
Speaking to the Racing Post on Monday, Weld said, "Tahiyra has been retired. She's been a wonderful filly to train and she retires to the Aga Khan's broodmare band.
"She's right up there with the best I've trained. I've been very fortunate to train some very, very good colts and fillies and I've never been one who likes comparing horses with other horses from different years, but she's right up there with them all."
He added, "She was champion two-year-old filly of Europe and was only beaten in two races – she was beaten a half-a-length into second in the 1,000 Guineas and finished third in the QEII. The standout moment for me was when she won the Coronation at Royal Ascot. The way she quickened up that day was very impressive. The race wasn't run to suit, but she still quickened up and won well. That was a very special day."
Tahiyra had an undefeated juvenile campaign which ended with a remarkable performance in the Moyglare Stakes. However, she suffered a narrow defeat by Mawj in a thrilling 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on her first start as a 3YO.
Nonetheless, she made amends by winning the Irish equivalent at the Curragh that month and displaying her impressive turn of foot in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. After a break, she returned to win Leopardstown's Matron Stakes convincingly and was a 7-2 shot to secure a fifth Group One in the QEII.
Unfortunately, she couldn't catch the pacesetter, Big Rock, and was beaten to second place by Facteur Cheval. This was her final race, as she will now begin her life as a broodmare. According to Weld, Tahiyra's exceptional movement during her races was what made her stand out.
He said, "It was a combination of factors that made her so good, the breeding, her temperament, her will to win, but if I was to pick one particular attribute it would be that she was poetry in motion. She was a beautiful moving filly, just poetry in motion."
Chris Hayes partnered with Tahiyra in each of her seven races, ultimately culminating in an impressive career record. Throughout her time on the track, Tahiyra secured a remarkable five victories, including four Group One triumphs. With a rating of 118, she proved her exceptional skills and garnered earnings amounting to an impressive US$15,07,721.86.