Hinchinbrook (inside horse) has been retired to stud after suffering a leg injury in the lead up to the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot
Hinchinbrook’s racing days are over with the big colt officially retired from racing overnight.
It’s a terrible blow for trainer Peter Moody and connections as he was gearing up for a final swansong at Royal Ascot in England.
He was to race in this weekend’s Golden Jubilee and was rated as a big chance along with fellow Australian Star Witness.
Hinchinbrook was found to be lame in his box at Newmarket late yesterday and vets were immediately called to diagnose the issue.
Unfortunately they discovered a suspensory ligament issue in his leg and although minor, there was no chance he could be at 100 percent fitness by the weekend.
“It’s terrible news, really terrible luck and we’re all a bit down about it,” said Moody’s racing manager Jeff O’Connor.
“The horse looks like he’s injured his suspensory ligament which means he won’t be running here.
“The horse was working the best he has ever gone and we were very confident that he would run well on Saturday.”
The European assault was always going to be his last campaign before being retired to stud but he has been robbed of the chance at an international Group 1, a win which would have added plenty of value to his sire service fee.
It’s a sad end to what has been an incredibly unlucky career for Hinchinbrook.
While he has triumphed at Group 3 level, his top grade starts have only produced four placings.
If it weren’t for Black Caviar and Hay List he would have certainly been more successful with a second to Hay List this year in the All Aged Stakes and a third to Black Caviar in the William Reid Stakes.
It leaves Australia with just one chance remaining in the Golden Jubilee, Star Witness backing up less than a week after running second in the Kings Stand Stakes.
Hinchinbrook has already being sold to stud but no word yet on how much for or how much his service fee will be.
For the connections sake it’s hopefully generous given they spent well over $20,000 on the trip to England to not even get on track.
