Millions hero’s race is now run
Magic Millions hero Eleven Eleven has run his last race and retires with more than $3m in the bank and plenty of good memories for connections.
Trainer Greg Hickman said the plan was always to retire Eleven Eleven after Saturday’s Magic Millions The Syndicate at the Gold Coast, where he caught the eye out wide for sixth spot.
“It’s probably just everything has caught up,” Hickman said.
“Getting older too, he’s a sevenyear-old now and the younger ones are coming through.
“You just don’t want to be pushing the button too many times. He’s had 40 odd starts, won plenty of prizemoney and given us lots of good memories.
“It was always the plan to retire him after last Saturday and I thought he ran super.”
The son of Fastnet Rock was well known for his affinity with the Gold Coast circuit, winning the Magic Millions Cup in 2021 and 2022 before going close to a third straight victory at the track when second to Centrefire last year.
He was also sensationally awarded the 2020 3YO Magic Millions after Alligator Blood was initially disqualified before a court overturned the decision and handed it back to Alligator Blood.
That decision is an ongoing saga and remains in the Supreme Court.
Racing six times at Group 1 level, Eleven Eleven was third to Apache Chase in the 2022 Kingsford Smith Cup and while the racing part of his career is over, Hickman thinks the horse would make a good jumper.
“We’re not too sure where he’s going as of yet but I’m sure he’d make a good jumper down the track for someone,” he said.