INCREDIBLE KOKORO HAS RUN HER LAST RACE

Ian Fortune

The incredible Crafty Kokoro has run her last race.

The decision to retire the sensational daughter of Droopys Sydney and Cockyorconfident was that of mother nature rather than that of her lucky owner Peter Divilly.

Only last Saturday night, speaking ahead of racing, Peter and his mother Noelle were delighted with how Kokoro was shaping after posting a rapid 29.57 trial for the 550yd trip in a trial only moments earlier. Peter explained that she was far too fresh for her Oaks opening round assignment and ran like and experienced puppy, such was her excitement. 

But he felt she was just coming right and the trial was evidence of the fact. The plan was very much a attempted defence of her Corn Cuchulainn crown before another go at the Derby. fast forward just three days and there’s a very different plan after she came in season.

In truth her season couldn’t have come at a less opportune moment with the Corn Cuchulainn just weeks away and the Derby not soon after. And so, the decision to send her to the breeding paddocks has been made.

A WONDERFUL START TO HER CAREER

It was in October 2021 that Crafty Kokoro made her racing debut at Clonmel and he sent out a pretty loud and clear warning that she could be a potential star.

Getting loose into the turn, she raced to a nine-length victory in a stunning 28.42.

Remarkably, it would be another six starts before she would win again but that is more due to the company she was keeping than her ability. After defeat in her second start at Clonmel, she was immediately switched to Shelbourne Park where she was thrown in at the deep end in the National Puppy Stake. 

OFFERS APLENTY

Although beaten in each of the three rounds, her displays were enough to make her one of the most sought-after bitches on the planet.

Indeed, offers came from Australia and all four corners of Ireland and the UK.

Finishing with the most remarkable gusto through the National Puppy, she eventually chased home Scooby Prince in the final, coming from a mile off the pace to be beaten just a length.

It was clear whatever she was achieving over 525yds was only a bonus as she looked tailor-made for a step up in trip. She again suffered defeat at the Winter Racing Festival over 575yds in her next start but again caught the eye, finishing like a train behind Derby finalist All About Ted.

Again, her connections turned down hefty offers for the youngster and they would be richly rewarded for their decision in the following year. 

She finally added doubled her career tally in the second round of the Christmas Oaks, coming from a mile off the pace to score in 28.28 before doing the same in the semis to win in 28.37. Luck wasn’t on her side in the decider but she was now firmly established as one of the most exciting young trackers in training.

ONE OF THE STARS OF ‘22

To say she didn’t disappoint in 2022 would be quite the understatement.

Her first assignment came in the Con & Annie Kirby Memorial where she again wowed the crowds, coming from miles back to qualify for the semis. Sadly, luck was again to desert her as she crashed out after clipping the rail.

She was then given a short break to recover before coming back for her long-awaited six bend debut in the opening round of the Corn Cuchualinn. Despite needing the run, she ran out a ready winner in 41.61.

She may have suffered defeat in the second and third rounds but it was clear she was improving and finding form with each outing.     

In fact, her times through the classic got faster each round before producing a stunning final effort to see off a talented field by a wide margin. She was now a classic winner and she again confirmed her position as a serious stayer with another six-bend success on Champion Stakes final night.

In one of the great races of the year, she saw off her great rival Magical Poppy to win by a neck in 41.45. It was run that would ultimately confirm her standing as a truly great stayer and ultimately see her capture the Stayer of the Year crown.

A DERBY CHALLENGE TO REMEMBER

But she wasn’t left idle. In fact, the decision was made to give her a crack at the Boylesports Derby and what was to follow was nothing short of sensational.

Round after round, she did what many didn’t think was possible, giving the best in the business a head start before coming storming through to either win or qualify.

A seven-length winner in the opening round in 29.71, she followed that up with a narrow defeat to Mustang Jet before lowering the colours of the eventual champion Born Warrior in the third round.

Despite the company getting hotter and hotter with each week, she continued to amaze, finishing a head second to Callaway Pro Am in the quarter finals before overcoming bad traffic in the semis to finish third to the same rival.

She was now in the Derby final and despite looking certain to turn closer to last than first, she was sent to traps the 7-2 second favourite. We all know that Born Warrior went on to record a brilliant victory but Crafty Kokoro didn’t disappoint. But for running into bad traffic at the third turn when absolutely motoring, she would have gone very close to landing the biggest prize of them all.

GETTING CLOSE TO THE END

She would have just four more starts, winning twice over 600yds, clocking a sensational 31.98 and 32.42.

After a near seven-month layoff, she returned for her aforementioned comeback race in the opening round of the Oaks but it wasn’t meant to be.

WHAT A CAREER

Her career may not have lasted very long but in the year between her debut and final race of 2022, she was without question one of the most talked about and much-loved trackers in this part of the world. With the ability to beat the very best in training over 525, 550, 600 and 750yds, winning a classic and going so close in the Derby, she will be remembered fondly, especially by this scribe.

Peter Divilly confirms that she is off to the breeding paddocks with Premier Fantasy the sire of choice for her first litter. Crafty Kokoro was a truly special lady and hopes are high that she will pass on some of her incredible ability.

We wish her and the Divilly family the best of luck in the future and look forward to seeing some potential superstars emerging from the Crafty kennels in the coming years. Perhaps there is another Crafty Kokoro amongst them? Now, that would be something.