Te Akau stable star, nine-time Group 1 winner Avantage (Fastnet Rock – Asavant, by Zabeel) has been retired after suffering a tendon injury.
At nine Group 1 wins, Avantage is the record-holder for her champion Australian sire Fastnet Rock (Danehill).
The former Champion Two-Year-Old and Karaka Million winner, who has won Group races on both sides of the Tasman, was pre-post favourite for the Tarzino Trophy (Gr. 1, 1400m) on Saturday at Hastings.
“We’re all absolutely gutted about Avantage but unfortunately this can happen in racing,” said trainer Jamie Richards.
“We’d been very happy with her, but it became apparent when Nicole (Shailer) came back to work this afternoon that she had heat in her off-fore leg.
“We had the vet there to scan it immediately and she has a hole in the tendon and will be retired forthwith from racing.
“She’s been a wonderful mare who has achieved some incredible feats on the racetrack, and we can’t thank her enough for all the thrills and experiences she’s given us.
“A Karaka Million winner and Group 1 winning two-year-old that was named Champion Two-Year-Old and she’s gone on to conquer all before her in an amazing career.
“It’s very sad for the owners and all the team, especially Nicole who looks after her in the Middle Barn, and Trev (Stewart) who straps her – they just adore her and she can be quite cranky at times.
“We just want to reiterate what a wonderful job she’s done for all of us in the racing industry.”
