Postponed

When Sheik Mohammed Obaid moved his string of horses from the stable of Luca Cumani to Roger Varian at the end of 2015 the jewel in the crown was Postponed, a top class proven performer with a King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes already on his roll of honour.

Postponed entered 2016 with high expectations and did not fail to deliver. Shipped to Dubai in the spring he ran out a ready winner of the City of Gold a prep race for the $6 million Sheema Classic on World Cup night.

Under an illuminated Meydan Racecourse he put up a devastating display in the Shema Classic to collect the lion’s share of the prize money. Returned to England he then put a high-class field including subsequent Arc winner Found to the sword in the Coronation Cup at Epsom run over the Derby course and distance.

A virus robbed him of the chance to defend his crown in the King George which was won by Highland Reel whom he had beaten in Dubai.

His next appearance was a winning one in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York where the drop in distance proved no obstacle.

As the season approached its end Postponed next travelled to France to race in the much-coveted Arc De Triomphe where he ran with credit to finish 5th. Ironically the winner Found, and 2nd placed Highland Reel had both finished behind him in previous races that season.

Sportingly kept in training as a five-year-old by his owner injury prevented him from adding more Group 1 success to his C.V.

Stephen recalls

“Postponed was a beautiful and powerful horse. He was a pleasure to work with and was great so have such a good horse so early in my working relationship with Roger”