Denton Hall News

Popular sprinter retired by Michael Dods after 17 wins in 'wonderful' career

DAKOTA Gold, one of the most popular handicappers on the flat in recent years, has been retired at the age of 12.

County Durham trainer Michael Dods announced the news this morning, saying: “He’s been a wonderful servant to the yard but his last run at Ayr showed us the time has come to say he’s earned a happy retirement.”

The bay son of Equiano won 17 times in 79 runs, amassing £488,000 in prize money for lucky owners Doug Graham, Ian Davison and Alan Drysdale.

Career highlights included the Group 3 Bengough Stakes at York, and five listed wins, including the Garrowby Stakes at York, the Wentworth Stakes at Doncaster, and the Beverley Bullet.

He was also one of the most prolific winners at York, winning six times on The Knavesmire and sharing the record with Copper Knight before Tim Easterby’s gelding won a seventh.

Dakota Gold had a particularly fruitful season in 2019, racking up a treble with the Sky Bet Dash and Symphony Group Handicap, at York, and the Great St Wilfrid Handicap, at Ripon.

All but one of his wins came under Connor Beasley, and he last ran at Ayr on July 6 when finishing last of 17 runners.

He also caught the public imagination because of his quirky style of starting his races. Michael’s wife, Carole, always had to lead him up to the stalls and let him trot in on his own.

Michael said: “The public loved him because he ran so often and always tried his heart out. He was a very tough horse – a dream to train.”

Dakota Gold can now look forward to a retirement home for life, alongside Barney McGrew, at Denton Hall, a few miles from Darlington.

His regular work rider, Sophie Dods, said: “I’ll still ride him and retrain him, maybe doing a few dressage shows, but the main thing is that he’ll be enjoying himself and relaxing. He’s earned it.”