Ger Lyons has revealed that his dual group 1 winner Siskin will head to stud in Japan after one final potential start in his care at the Breeders' Cup.
The Juddmonte homebred was unbeaten in a striking juvenile campaign, which culminated in victory in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (G1) at the Curragh.
He returned for 2020 to land the Tattersalls Irish Two Thousand Guineas(G1) under a steely ride from Colin Keane and was a commendable third behind Mohaather in the Qatar Sussex Stakes (G1). The First Defence colt was most recently seen finishing fourth to Persian King in last month's Prix du Moulin de Longchamp (G1).
"This year was about the Guineas, the Sussex, come back for a light campaign, maybe the Boomerang (G2), have a look at the QEII (G1), ground depending, and then put him away for next year, but that's been put on hold," said Lyons.
"I didn't want to send him as a 3-year-old to a Breeders' Cup, but he won't be staying in training at 4, so the Breeders' Cup now becomes an option. At this moment in time, he's being trained with that in mind."
After explaining on the Nick Luck Daily podcast that Japan would be Siskin's stallion destination, Lyons expressed a degree of both personal and wider disappointment.
Juddmonte announced in June that it had sold Siskin's breeding rights to undisclosed buyers, widely thought to have been Coolmore.
"I'm delighted for him because he's going to get a quality book of mares that he probably wouldn't get in Ireland, but I'd have loved to have trained him at 4," Lyons said. "But it just goes to show you where we are in the industry when powerhouses like Juddmonte, Coolmore still sell their best horses and have to sell their best horses for economic reasons.
"I thought when I'd get to the stage when I'm winning a Guineas or an Oaks that you'd see their careers out. We've got to where we are by selling our best horses, and here we are at the top table, still selling our best horses. Which is a little bit disappointing, frustrating, whatever, it's demoralizing to say the least."
Lyons has sought top of the ground conditions for Siskin this season, and the state of the going at Keeneland next month is the trainer's caveat.
"We're allowed 'go' if we're all happy with him, and that's a decision (Juddmonte racing manager) Teddy (Grimthorpe) and I will make in the coming days," he said. "It's been lovely fast ground over there of late, which would be perfect for him, but I wouldn't like to see him over there on soft ground."
