Multiple Group 1 winner Hey Doc has been retired having lost the desire to be a racehorse.
A 10-time winner from 32 starts under the care of T & C Mcevoy, Hey Doc ran his last race finishing eighth in the R N Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville in April.
Co-trainer Calvin McEvoy said there was no soundness issues with Hey Doc.
“The horse has been to every dance,” McEvoy said.
“He ran in a Blue Diamond Stakes at two, ran in a Caulfield Guineas, won an Australian Guineas at three and we won two Manikato Stakes with him.”
McEvoy said Hey Doc was a funny horse but capable of some amazing feats.
He said the sprinter came off some significant breaks to again win at Group 1 level, securing the Winterbottom Stakes in Perth along with a second Manikato Stakes, his last win, last October.
McEvoy said that while Hey Doc appeared to be going well in training, he had lost his competitiveness.
“Last prep he was going super, but when it came to the races, and the pressure was on, he wasn’t in for the fight,” McEvoy said.
“That wasn’t him. He was a horse that was always in for the fight.
“There were no injuries, but he just told us that he had the zest for racing.
“We listened to the horse and he was telling us at eight that he doesn’t need to be going out there and doing it when he’s not racing at his best.”
McEvoy said Hey Doc was sound, well and loving life in the paddock as he and his father awaited news on where the gelding would live out his life.
