Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi retired

Godolphin’s 2019 Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi is to be retired, ending a short but illustrious career.

A Godolphin homebred, Kiamichi led home an all-blue sweep of the Slipper placings in a result that came as something of a surprise, but her pedigree and her form line made her a most worthy winner.

Kiamichi is by the Golden Slipper runner-up Sidestep from Ouachita, a daughter of the 1990 Slipper winner Canny Lad. Her family also features the Slipper winners Vain, Marscay, Dark Eclipse and Storm Queen.

Kiamichi had been Godolphin’s first two-year-old winner in Australia for the 2018-19 season and seven days before the Golden Slipper she won the G3 Magic Night Stakes and became the fifth filly to take the double.

She also overcame the significant obstacle of a wide barrier, crossing the field and leading throughout to carry the Godolphin colours to their first victory in the world’s richest two-year-old race.

The placegetters Microphone and Lyre also added merit to the win, the former going on to be named Australia’s Champion two-year-old of the season while Lyre was the winner of the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes.

Trainer James Cummings praised the filly as a genuine G1 star whose desire and talent came together in full proportion in the Golden Slipper.

"She was our first two-year-old winner of the season and she just grew stronger and better as her preparations progressed,” Cummings said.

“I have nothing but praise for her win in such a high-pressure race. We trained her for strength and she was the toughest on the day. They all had the chance to run her down, but they didn’t threaten her.”

“The Golden Slipper is a race that shapes the breed in Australia, and she now gets her chance to contribute to that tradition.”

Godolphin’s managing director for Australia, Vin Cox, said Kiamichi retires sound and healthy and that a mate is yet to be confirmed.