Red Force One, a nine-year-old with a 10-time winning record on the flat and three wins over hurdles, recently secured a hat-trick at Newmarket. Previously trained by Paul Nicholls, he reached a peak rating of 131 before losing his way last season. However, he has shown renewed determination and form, culminating in a quick succession of victories on the July course.
Despite retirement looming, trainer Phil Kirby believes there may be one final triumphant performance left in the stalwart stayer. Kirby expressed admiration for Red Force One's winning spirit and resilience, noting that he almost retired the horse due to performance issues last year. He now hopes to end Red Force One's career on a high note with another victory.
Looking ahead, Kirby is planning to expand his racing endeavours by sending runners abroad to compete for lucrative prize money. He mentioned potential trips to Bahrain and France as part of a new strategy to stay competitive in the industry. Despite facing challenges in acquiring top-quality horses, Kirby remains optimistic about the future and is committed to pushing forward with his racing operations.