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Bit Of A Yarn

RIP The Shark.


Joe Bloggs

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3 minutes ago, Joe Bloggs said:

What a tragedy, what a horse, that poor bugger, this is a really sad shit day, and I just cheered for him, this game sux at times, it really does.

Te Akau Shark

Star galloper Te Akau Shark put down in NZ
Te Akau Shark has died in New Zealand. Photo: Mark Evans/Getty Images
HORSES

Star galloper Te Akau Shark put down in NZ

Mitch Cohen
Article Author

Mitch Cohen

Kiwi cult hero Te Akau Shark has been humanely put down following complications from a rare eye condition.

The gun son of Rip Van Winkle had to be put down after becoming blind in both eyes following a difficult health battle.

Te Akau Shark went blind in one eye after surgery in Australia last year before contracting pneumonia which unfortunately resulted in the condition spreading.

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Te Akau Shark (orange) winning the Chipping Norton Stakes. Photo: AAP Image/Simon Bullard)

 

Te Akau Racing made the decision to euthanise their star galloper and confirmed the tragic news on Thursday morning.

“It is with immense pain and sadness that we announce that our beloved Te Akau Shark has lost his brave health battle,” a statement read.

“A true warrior, Darryl (stable name) your heart and courage, your determination and kindness, lit up the lives of everyone privileged to know you – as well as those who admired you from afar.

Sydney Racing

Te Akau Shark with connections. Photo: Jenny Evans/Getty Images

 

“You made us laugh, you made us proud, you brought so much joy – we fell in love with you over and over again, every single day with your quirky personality. Your owners, our team, the racing world.

“You changed lives and left your inedible hoof prints stamped all over our hearts. Our grief has no words.”

Te Akau Racing announced just days before Christmas that the talented five-year-old had been retired after the popular gelding failed to make a full recovery from a rare eye condition.

He has been off the scene since a fifth placing in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick last April when he narrowly beat home star stablemate Melody Belle.

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Te Akau Shark in the lead up to the Cox Plate. Photo: AAP Image/Vince Caligiuri

 

The six-year-old was a Group 1 winner in both New Zealand and Australia, claiming the BCD Sprint at Te Rapa before winning the Chipping Norton Stakes at his next start at Randwick.

Perhaps his best performance on the big stage came when Te Akau Shark finished third in the 2019 Cox Plate behind Lys Gracieux and Castelvecchio.

Te Akau Shark banked $1.5 million in prizemoney for connections, which included former Cronulla Sharks captain-turned-heavyweight boxer Paul Gallen, with the outstanding record of seven wins and five placings from just 14 starts.

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A tough week in NZ horse racing , along with Rock on Wood we have lost 2 very talented race horses . I'm sure both sets of connections are doing it tough at the moment . Every horse lover has been in this position , i know i have , and for many it is like losing a family member . 

My thoughts go out to them .

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