IPOH:  July 27, 2011

FREE SPIRIT and WHY BE, two of the biggest names in Malaysia and Singapore racing, have been retired to the pastures this month.

FREE SPIRIT (Citidancer - Star Party by Star Pak), purchased by trainer Chong Keng Leong for just A$28,000 as a yearling, went on to become a phenomenon in Malaysia with 14 wins and 24 placings in 63 starts.

The nine-year-old's last run was when he finished third to MUDHISH in the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders Association Trophy (Table 1 - 1400m) in Penang on July 10.

FREE SPIRIT is the second highest stakes earner ever in Malaysia (behind CONFLUENCE - RM4,106,422) with earnings of RM3,887,615.

The Australian gelding won his very first start in Restricted Maiden company in 2004 and went on to win the Malaysia Magic Millions Classic (1200m) the following year.

In 2006, he won back-to-back classics in the Selangor Gold Cup (1600m) and Piala Emas Sultan Selangor (2000m). The following season, he was successful in the Astro Wah Lai Toi Vase (1400m) and Coronation Cup (1600m).

He defended the Astro Wah Lai Toi Vase in 2008 when it was staged over 1800m. His last success came in a mixed Classes 1 & 2 event over 1600m at Sungei Besi in April 2009. Although placed several times, he has not been the force he once was.

Like FREE SPIRIT, WHY BE (Success Express - Charydbis by Royal Academy) also began his career with a win in Restricted Maiden.

The Australian gelding also won his next start, in the Juvenile Championship (1200m) in 2005.

From November 2006 to April the next year, WHY BE reeled off seven consecutive wins, including the MRA Cup (1200m), Kranji Stakes (1200m) and Fischer Stakes (1200m).

The winning sequence was interrupted by an unplaced run in the Lion City Cup but he rebounded with eight consecutive wins after that, including the Four-Year-Old Sprint (1200m).

Trained by Laurie Laxon, WHY BE won the Fischer Stakes for the second time in 2007 during which is also won the Lion City Cup (1200m). His last and 21st success came in the Merlion Trophy (1200m) in November 2008.

WHY BE was sent to Malaysia to race under Evert van Breukelen in mid-2010 but managed just a third in seven outings before it was decided his racing days are over.

In all WHY BE, who cost NZ$26,000 as a yearling, picked up S$2,043,124 and RM14,107 in prizemoney from 21 wins and 12 placings in 52 starts.