It was a day that trainer David McColm knew would be coming sooner rather than later, but the decision to retire the stable star Far Too Easy was still an emotional one.
Seldom has a horse run the gauntlet of adversity to the degree that has tested Far Too Easy and seldom has a horse maintained an impressive above-average level of consistency through it all to be able to end his career with nine wins and six minor placings from twenty-nine starts … and a final prize-money earnings total of $2,413,925.
From being in danger of being swept away when flood water inundated the McColm stables at Murwillumbah at the end of February 2022 — with McColm fearing for his horse’s lives as he monitored the situation from a boat — to suffering a host of physical setbacks, most notably in April 2024 when Far Too Easy was diagnosed with acute colitis, the gelding’s career was a battle at every turn.
That episode required intensive care for Far Too Easy to pull through, an experience that had McColm fearing the worst early in the process. It was just another chapter in a journey that saw both trainer and horse tested time and again.
Far Too Easy proved himself a true battler. Tough mentally and determined to overcome every obstacle thrown his way, he became a fixture in the line-up for the $2 million The Kosciuszko, a race with which his name will forever be associated.
The son of All Too Hard finished second in the 2022 running of the The Kosciuszko, followed by a third placing in the 2023 edition — both won by Front Page — before enjoying the crowning moment of his career in 2024 when he captured the $2 million feature himself, defeating Front Page and securing a richly deserved victory.
Far Too Easy also delivered a string of other notable performances during his career, including a win in the Winning Rupert Plate, as well as runner-up finishes in the Group 2 Moreton Cup, the Gold Edition Plate and the Ramornie Handicap, all prestigious Listed races.
He also finished fourth on two occasions on Magic Millions Day, first in the Magic Millions Three-Year-Old Guineas in 2022 and again in the Magic Millions Cup in 2024.
It is therefore easy to understand the emotion behind McColm’s farewell message announcing Far Too Easy’s retirement on social media.
McColm said he was making the call with a “heavy heart”, paying special tribute to veterinarian Greg Baldwin, who he described as “a great vet and an even better human”. He also thanked his co-owners, his wife Jude, and close friends Don and Mary Wardlaw, noting that “it has been one hell of a journey and we’ll have memories to last a lifetime”.
He also acknowledged the dedication of his team members Archie McColm, Nic Chadburn and Donna Robson for their support throughout the horse’s remarkable career.
