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Godolphin runner Cavalryman fatally injured in Dubai

By Richard Gross
Cavalryman, seen here winning the 2013 Dubai Gold Cup, suffered a fatal breakdown Saturday at Meydan (Dubai Racing Club photo)
1 of 2 | Cavalryman, seen here winning the 2013 Dubai Gold Cup, suffered a fatal breakdown Saturday at Meydan (Dubai Racing Club photo)

The unusual two-day Carnival week at Meydan was marred by the fatal breakdown Saturday of one of hometown Godolphin's guttiest runners and fan favorite, Cavalryman.

The 9-year-old who severely fractured his right hind leg on the Meydan backstretch in his seasonal debut during the running of the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy while trying to repeat his 2014 win in the 2,810-meters turf event. He was transported to Meydan's equine hospital for unsuccessful treatment and subsequently put down.

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Godolphin confirmed the death in a statement on its website Sunday morning well after completion of what had been an exciting two-day meet leading up to next week's Super Saturday and the March 28 Dubai World Cup day.

"Cavalryman was a real character in the yard and was treasured, not only by me, but by everyone here," said trainer Saeed bin Suroor in the announcement. "All of the team are very upset by the tragic news. He had a wonderful career and he will be hugely missed."

Cavalryman was as stalwart for Godolphin as his name suggested. The entire son of Halling, out of the French mare Silversword by Highest Honor, started 39 races in an era when talent often prompts an early trip to the breeding shed. A world-trotting winner of nearly $3 million, Cavalryman was a multiple graded stakes and Group 1 victor in a 10-win career that saw him finish first in stakes races in France and Great Britain before charging onto his final home at Meydan in Dubai in 2013, the year he won the Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup day.

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Perhaps his best year on record was his near-oldest, 2014, when he captured the Group 2 Goodwood Cup and Princess of Wales Stakes at Newmarket in addition to just missing a repeat win in the Group 3 Dubai Gold Cup after winning the Nad Al Sheba Trophy. But his many fans throughout the thoroughbred world may better remember 2009 when, as a 3-year-old, he charged home a winner in the Group 1 Grand Prix de Paris and the Group 2 Prix Niel before finishing third to the magnificent Sea The Stars in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp. Originally trained by legendary French saddler Andre Fabre, Cavalryman came under the care of Godolphin lead trainer bin Suroor in 2010, both trainers bookending the best years of his long career. In an era when thoroughbreds are often regarded as dilettantes, Cavalryman is remembered as a true warrior.

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