Aussie international Group I performer retired

An Australian galloper that produced on the highest stage both at home and abroad has been retired.

The Hawkes Racing-trained Dao Dao won his various owners more than $1.4 million in a career that spanned 5-1/2 years.

The son of Shinko Forest won his first race, a three-year-old colts and geldings' maiden, on the Kensington track at Randwick in December 2006.

In 2007, Dao Dao headed to Hong Kong where he won four of eight starts before returning to the care of the Hawkes team.

The horse then won the Listed Royal Parma Stakes (1400m).

Dao Dao had 24 starts at Group and Listed level for a return of one win and 10 placings.

Among his 10 placings were seconds in the 2009 Group I Champions Mile in Hong Kong, the 2010 Futurity Stakes, George Ryder Stakes and Emirates Stakes. He also finished third in the 2011 Futurity Stakes.

"The original owner sold him in 2010 and we were lucky enough that some stable clients brought him and gave him back to us to train,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said.

"They paid $90,000 and while the horse didn’t win another race he won more than $300,000.

"He was just a marvel. He was a horse that throughout his career didn’t have the best of luck whether that be bad barriers or whatever but he came up ever preparation and performed at the highest level.

"He’ll be sadly missed around the stables there’s no doubt about that. Everyone was very fond of him.

"He was a grand old horse.”

Dao Dao’s career ended with a second placing in the Group III Newmarket Handicap (1400m) behind He’s Remarkable on March 21.

"It was always a matter of time and unfortunately he’s seen better days,” Michael Hawkes said.

"The right thing to do after the Newcastle run was to retire him.

"It would have been great to go out on a winning note but he ran another gallant second behind a very good horse.”

Story: Clinton Payne RaceNet