2005 was the year of the equine jetsetters with Elvstroem, Alinghi, Grand Armee, Starcraft, and Keep the Faith (amongst others) stamping their passports with the joyous abandon of students pursuing a gap year.

Given the number of travel arrangements being made it was perhaps ironic that the World Series Champion was the one horse this year who DIDN'T request an aisle or window seat - Vengeance of Rain yet to step foot from Hong Kong.

One of the big disappointments of the year was FastNet Rock not racing in Europe after contracting travel sickness (the poor lad may have been quietly wishing for a few blue pills - or indeed the peace and quiet of a stable routine - after the size of his first season book).

From Viagara to spare change - and was Paul Makin spotted on the side of an American road after Starcraft's $800k late entry fee to the Breeders Cup?


Continuing with all things global - Godolphin celebrated its 1000th winner, Fine Silver made history by becoming the 1st Britain-trained racehorse to compete in modern-day Russia; Karasi won the world's richest jumps race in Japan, whilst Hideyuki Mori became the 1st Japanese trainer to saddle a runner in Australia. Cross border racing between Singapore and Malaysia resumed, whilst in Hong Kong Silent Witness took the crown for the world record number of wins (18 - including 8 G1's) - before bowing to stable mate Bullish Luck who caught him in the final strides to win the HK$8 million (A$1.3m) Gr1 Champions Mile (1st leg of the Asia Mile Challenge) over 1600m at Sha Tin in May. Unfortunately for Silent Witness a virus ended his 2005 campaign and the jury is still out as to whether the World Champion Sprinter will make a comeback in 2006.

A few Australians were also looking to distant horizons in 2005. Examples include expatriate Paul Bittar who shifted from the UK to NZ, Paul Dingwall joined the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and David Hayes who returned to Australia.