American Affair to miss Nunthorpe after suffering setback

Jim Goldie’s stable star American Affair has suffered a setback and will miss the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York next month.

However, Goldie is still hopeful that the five-year-old will be able to contest the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in the autumn.

American Affair continued his remarkable rise up the sprinting ladder by winning the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, in the process giving his regular jockey, Paul Mulrennan, his first success at the meeting for 15 years.

That triumph came almost a year to the day since he had landed a handicap at Thirsk off a rating of just 80.

American Affair is now rated 34lb higher and had been quoted no bigger than 6-1 to land the Nunthorpe, which takes place on August 19. 

Goldie said on Wednesday: “He was lame behind so he had a bone scan and it showed up a few ‘hot spots’. That is not unusual as the bone will renew itself but he won’t be going to York and I've just taken him out of the race.

“With my own gut feeling supported by the best veterinary science from Glasgow and Edinburgh and my own vets it wouldn’t be possible for go for the Nunthorpe and the Breeders' Cup - it’s one or the other and we’re still pretty hopeful we can get him ready for America.

“He’s a very talented horse and you have to be careful as he’s still only five. There is always next year for the Nunthorpe.”