Keane to regroup with Crystal Black, with retirement possible Gerry Keane is to regroup with his Royal Ascot-winner Crystal Black following a disappointing campaign at Meydan recently, with retirement a possibility for the eight-year-old gelding. Crystal Black completed a remarkable five-timer during the summer of 2024, which famously included success in Ascot’s Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes, but raced just three times last year. The Wear A Pink Rbbon Syndicate-owned gelding tried Meydan this winter where he disappointed in three runs at Group-level, with connections now set to assess options. Keane, father of leading Flat jockey and recent Cheltenham-festival winner Colin Keane, reports "it didn't happen in Meydan for Crystal Black and he has a few issues. He always had issues anyway. You can't train him the same way as you can train him here, and his wind was always an issue. We are going to have to get it looked at when he comes home and he’s not home until next week. "If the vet thinks he can do anything, he will be operated on straight away and, if not, we will probably retire him. It (wind) was getting worse as he got older." Keane collected HRI's 2024 Flat Achievement Award following Crystal Black's successes of 2024 and he added "he is the best horse I ever had, obviously. It is unbelievable, you couldn't write it. Laughifuwant was a very good horse as well in his own right. “For a small yard it was unbelievable." Quotes from Michael Graham
