New Godolphin role for warrior Avilius

Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

Written by Paul Vettise

Class and courage were hallmarks of the successful career of Avilius (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and his next chapter has seen him honoured as a flagbearer for the Godolphin Lifetime Care program following his retirement.

Avilius won three Group 1 events and his profile will now be used to promote the worthiest of thoroughbred care causes.

“He will now graduate as a flagbearer in the Godolphin Lifetime Care program, which fundamentally illustrates our commitment to the highest standard of care throughout their lives,” Godolphin Racing and Bloodstock Manager, Jason Walsh, said.

“One of the key objectives of the flagbearer program is to utilise the profile of a horse like Avilius to help promote the versatility of the thoroughbred breed in a range of post-racing endeavours.

“A top-class horse of his calibre will continue to command attention. We look forward to exploring the particular equine pursuit that best suits his characteristics and desire.”

Avilius won two his seven starts before he left André Fabre’s French stable at the end of a 3-year-old year in late 2017. In that brief career, he had been matching strides with horses of the calibre of the four-time Group 1 winner Cracksman (GB), who he finished second to in the G2 Prix Niel at Chantilly.

Australian conditions clearly suited Avilius, who went on to win his first four starts, among them the G3 Bart Cummings and one which earned automatic entry into the 2018 G1 Melbourne Cup.

In preparation for the Flemington feature, he stepped out in the G1 Cox Plate and finished a respectable fourth behind Winx (Street Cry {Ire}) before an unplaced run in the Cup.

He returned the following February in the G3 Carlyon Cup at Caulfield, which was to become the first of four wins for the campaign that included victories on successive weekends in the G1 Ranvet S. and G1 Tancred S.

Admirable qualities

Avilius subsequently won his third Group 1 title in the George Main S. and trainer James Cummings was full of admiration for the 7-year-old.

“This was a horse who gave us all he had. So, it is only right that he should bow out with dignity,” Cummings said. “He was running well and, as he did from day one, he went into every battle in good health and with great desire.

“Horses like him never stop trying, so we have to know when to call time. He was an exceptionally talented horse, he was versatile and extremely resilient. He will be greatly missed, but he will always have a very good home.”