Speedy
filly Mossfun was the dominant two year-old last season winning won four of her
five starts for Team Hawkes highlighted by a brilliant Golden Slipper victory,
but below par form this season has seen her retired to stud for owners Emirates
Park.
Given a spell immediately after winning the Golden Slipper, Mossfun contracted
a virus and was forced to bypass the spring, but managed to return in the
autumn of 2015.
She had four starts as a three-year-old, all at Group level, with her best
result a second placing in the Group III ATC Birthday Card Quality last month.
"She did her job," co-trainer Michael Hawkes told Racenet.
"Targeting a Golden Slipper, getting her there on the day and winning it –
it doesn't get any better than that.
"But she just didn't come back at the level we had hoped. It happens with
two-year-olds and the virus she contracted during the spring of last year
perhaps took more out of her than any of us realised.
"For an $85,000 yearling she will now to go to stud as a valuable
broodmare, a Group I winner, and a Golden Slipper winner.
"It goes to show it can happen, and we will be trying to find another
Mossfun this year."
A daughter of Vinery Stud stalwart Mossman, Mossfun will join the stellar broodmare
band at Emirates Park and retires with prizemoney of more than $2.5 million.