Weld waits on Harzand

A DECISION on whether Harzand is retired to stud or will stay in training next year is expected in about a fortnight’s time.

Should the dual Derby hero race on in 2017, then trainer Dermot Weld reckons he would be a serious contender for middle-distance honours.

Harzand won the English and Irish Derbies in cosy fashion, but has since been well-beaten in both the Irish Champion Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

However, Weld puts those under-par displays down to sound reasons.

“He had a long hard season and was on the go since March,” said the Rosewell trainer.

“He won the two Derbies and then got struck into at Leopardstown. He was pretty sore but healed quite quickly.

“You never know with pain what it takes out of them. He’s a very tough horse and while other horses would be laid up for weeks, he was never lame with the cuts and bruises.

“He probably experienced pain and nothing takes it out of you like pain. It’s only in a race that you find out and the Arc probably came a week too soon for him.

“There has been no decision on whether he retires to stud or races next season and I’d say it will be a couple of weeks.

“If he does stay in training, he’d be a high class mile-and-a-half horse next year and we’d be looking at races like the King George and Coronation Cup.”