Chief Stipe Posted December 21, 2020 Posted December 21, 2020 Te Akau Shark has been retired. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images HORSES Star Kiwi galloper Te Akau Shark in shock retirement Article Author Mitch Cohen 12:47PM21 December 2020 0 Comments Group 1 winner and Cox Plate placed Kiwi star Te Akau Shark has been retired after the popular gelding failed to make a full recovery from a rare eye condition. Connections of the Jamie Richards-trained six-year-old announced the decision on Monday morning. Te Akau Shark remained in Sydney after this year’s The Championships to undergo surgery to insert optic implants for a chronic eye issue developed during the carnival. A lung infection post-surgery then proved to be another setback for the ultra-talented son of Rip Van Winkle before he was transported back home to New Zealand in August. Te Akau Shark with jockey Opie Bosson, part-owner Paul Gallen and trainer Jamie Richard (L-R). Photo: Jenny Evans/Getty Images While back in his homeland, there were hopes Te Akau would be able to make a return to racing but those dreams were crushed due to ongoing complications with his vision. Te Akau Shark retires a two-time Group 1 winner with victories in the BCD Sprint at Te Rapa and Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick with a further two placings at the top level. He spent the bulk of the past 18 months campaigning in Australia against the best weight-for-age horses in the country. One of his most memorable performances came when the classy chestnut surged home from the back to finish third in the Cox Plate behind Lys Gracieux and Castelvecchio in 2019. His last run was a fifth placing in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick this year, narrowly beating home star stablemate Melody Belle. Te Akau Shark started just 14 times but left a lasting impression in a short space of time, developing a large following on both sides of the Tasman in winning seven times and finding the placings on another five occasions. He banked $1.5 million in prizemoney for connections, which include former Cronulla Sharks captain-turned-heavyweight boxer Paul Gallen. Quote
Te Akau Shark has been retired. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images HORSES Star Kiwi galloper Te Akau Shark in shock retirement Article Author Mitch Cohen 12:47PM21 December 2020 0 Comments Group 1 winner and Cox Plate placed Kiwi star Te Akau Shark has been retired after the popular gelding failed to make a full recovery from a rare eye condition. Connections of the Jamie Richards-trained six-year-old announced the decision on Monday morning. Te Akau Shark remained in Sydney after this year’s The Championships to undergo surgery to insert optic implants for a chronic eye issue developed during the carnival. A lung infection post-surgery then proved to be another setback for the ultra-talented son of Rip Van Winkle before he was transported back home to New Zealand in August. Te Akau Shark with jockey Opie Bosson, part-owner Paul Gallen and trainer Jamie Richard (L-R). Photo: Jenny Evans/Getty Images While back in his homeland, there were hopes Te Akau would be able to make a return to racing but those dreams were crushed due to ongoing complications with his vision. Te Akau Shark retires a two-time Group 1 winner with victories in the BCD Sprint at Te Rapa and Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick with a further two placings at the top level. He spent the bulk of the past 18 months campaigning in Australia against the best weight-for-age horses in the country. One of his most memorable performances came when the classy chestnut surged home from the back to finish third in the Cox Plate behind Lys Gracieux and Castelvecchio in 2019. His last run was a fifth placing in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick this year, narrowly beating home star stablemate Melody Belle. Te Akau Shark started just 14 times but left a lasting impression in a short space of time, developing a large following on both sides of the Tasman in winning seven times and finding the placings on another five occasions. He banked $1.5 million in prizemoney for connections, which include former Cronulla Sharks captain-turned-heavyweight boxer Paul Gallen.
nomates Posted December 21, 2020 Posted December 21, 2020 Very disappointing , when we are struggling for top class horses we lose possibly the best we currently had . He was very lightly raced so you could say his best was still ahead of him . Feel for the connections . Quote
Freda Posted December 21, 2020 Posted December 21, 2020 Yes, one of my favourites, a real quality horse and very well and carefully handled too. A shame. I'm sure he will have a good retirement, all the same. Quote
Thomass Posted December 21, 2020 Posted December 21, 2020 Some good horses raced here with one eye over the years...although banned in Australia now...I think we're still good to go.. ..one eyed Stipes are all sweet...so why not horses? 1 Quote
Freda Posted December 21, 2020 Posted December 21, 2020 43 minutes ago, Thomass said: Some good horses raced here with one eye over the years...although banned in Australia now...I think we're still good to go.. ..one eyed Stipes are all sweet...so why not horses? Don't think we ever were 'good to go'. Quote
Thomass Posted December 21, 2020 Posted December 21, 2020 Yes we were Freda...in fact think we still are! Quote
Freda Posted December 24, 2020 Posted December 24, 2020 On 22/12/2020 at 12:56 PM, Thomass said: Yes we were Freda...in fact think we still are! Nope. Never were. Had to check, but still the same. Rule 525 [ 2 ] d Quote
Bid Posted December 24, 2020 Posted December 24, 2020 5 minutes ago, Bid said: Singapore and South Africa can I think. https://www.thoroughbrednews.com.au/news/story/one-eyed-ace-armada-runs-a-blinder-in-trial-31084?section=Singapore 1 Quote
Thomass Posted December 27, 2020 Posted December 27, 2020 On 25/12/2020 at 6:16 AM, Freda said: Nope. Never were. Had to check, but still the same. Rule 525 [ 2 ] d Crikey, good research there Freeds.... Im sure way back there were though...even Radich thought there was STILL on last Weigh In! I bet if there was no physical signs they'd still try to sneak one in wouldn't they? France they can...but they've always been one eyed arrogunts! Quote
Chief Stipe Posted December 27, 2020 Author Posted December 27, 2020 Don't harness still allow it? Quote
Freda Posted December 27, 2020 Posted December 27, 2020 No idea....someone on the harness site will know, surely. Quote
Gammalite Posted December 27, 2020 Posted December 27, 2020 1 hour ago, Chief Stipe said: Don't harness still allow it? In Australia you can apply to the Chairman of stewards in your state to race a one eyed harness horse. They may grant permission if trials satisfactorily. It is an offence to not apply to stewards before racing. TWO EYE SEE won a Group 1 a few years ago (20 wins from 50 starts) after lost eye as a foal in paddock accident. Probably the same in NZ (not 100% on that but nearly all rules are common) 2 Quote
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