Highclere Racing’s Harry Herbert described the news that Merchant will miss the rest of the season as “devastating” after the Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood winner’s name did not appear among the forfeits for Sunday’s Prix Niel at Longchamp.
William Haggas had been aiming the 115-rated son of Teofilo at the Niel with the aim of playing his way into the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe – all three trials on Sunday carry a free supplement as part of the Arc Races series – but it will now be a case of back to the drawing board with Merchant.
“It’s particularly dreadful knowing how hard it is to get horses as good as this,” said Herbert. “I’ve had horses with William for probably more than 35 years and I haven’t had a horse who he’s been more excited about.
Herbert said the entire team at Somerville Lodge had been affected by the news, with Merchant joining last season’s Irish Champion Stakes winner Economics on the sidelines.
“William was devastated yesterday when an injury became apparent and that was it for this year,” said Herbert. “We’ll have to see how we go as far as next year is concerned.
“They’re so hard to find and when you’re dealt a wonderful card, to have a top-class middle-distance colt, then it’s devastating when something goes wrong when otherwise we might have seen him running in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. William described the yard yesterday as funereal in its silence, nobody was speaking.”
Merchant had just finished third in a Newmarket handicap off a mark of 82 when the Arc entries closed in May but has been steeply progressive since, winning at the York Dante meeting as well as the King George V Handicap at Ascot and the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.
“Everyone is gutted and the same goes for the shareowners,” said Herbert. “At the same time this is racing and we all appreciate that it can happen at any time, so it’s another reminder to enjoy the high days.
“Hopefully he comes back. I received a lovely email from one shareholder saying that we’ve already had the most wonderful time, with him being a winner at Royal Ascot and at Glorious Goodwood. The thrill and the expectation has been very special and while we’re all a bit gloomy right now, time heals and hopefully it will heal Merchant so we can see him back in action next season.”
Merchant’s form has been franked in his absence, with Ascot runner-up Serious Contender going on to chase home Lambourn in the Irish Derby, while Gordon Stakes second Wimbledon Hawkeye landed a valuable invitational race at Kentucky Downs last weekend.
