Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed retires

Caulfield Cup winning mare Southern Speed has been retired and could be heading to the breeding barn in the Northern Hemisphere to begin her stud care.

Southern Speed

Southern Speed has been retired. Photo by Taron Clarke

Trainer Leon Macdonald confirmed today that as a result of an injury sustained to her nearside suspensory ligament Southern Speed has run her last race and will begin her new life as a broodmare.

“There have been a number of feelers from people all around the world,” Macdonald said.

“She may be sold overseas, and if that is the case she could be put into foal northern hemisphere time.”

Southern Speed hit the headlines when she won last year’s Group 1 $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) but missed out on the chance of defending her title this year when she was scratched because of a wide barrier and saved for the Cox Plate.

Southern Speed ran a respectable sixth to Ocean Park in the Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 27 but then missed a start in the Melbourne Cup when she developed the leg injury.

The winner of seven races from twenty-five starts the Southern Image mare earned over $2.8 million and as well winning the Caulfield Cup had several placings at Grouip 1 level including a nose second to Manighar in the this year’s Group 1 WFA $1m Dubai Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 10.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.