The connections of Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}), eleventh in Sunday's G1 Japan Cup, have declined an invitation to the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin Racecourse on Sunday, December 8, and the four-year-old has been officially retired, Liberty Racing's Lars-W. Baumgarten confirmed Monday on X. Fantastic Moon will enter stud in 2025 at Gestut Ebbesloh as previously announced.
“Finishing 11th in the Japan Cup, Fantastic Moon appeared a bit tired in the final furlong. It was a long season for him. We'll pass on the HK Vase and fly him home for the next leg of his career at Ebbesloh Stud. You gave us memories we'll treasure forever,” the social media post read.
🎌🌙🎴 Finishing 11th in the G1 Japan Cup, Fantastic Moon appeared a bit tired in the final furlong. It was a long season for hin. We'll pass on the HK Vase, and fly him home for the next leg of his career at Ebbesloh Stud. You gave us memories we'll treasure forever – Fanta 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/RCy6RQKmtg
— Lars-W. Baumgarten (@Monsun2013) November 24, 2024
Trained by Sarah Steinberg, Fantastic Moon won the 2023 G1 Deutsches Derby to be named champion of his generation and struck twice this season at group level, including a 1 1/4-length victory in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden in September. He retires with a record of 7-3-1 from 15 starts for earnings of $924,911.
G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) is also unlikely to make the trip to Hong Kong for the Vase, South China Morning Post said. Sixth and not beaten far behind Do Deuce (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) at the weekend, Goliath was also runner-up in this year's G2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and won the G2 Prix du Conseil de Paris when prepping for his trip to Tokyo.
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