Gun Colt Brave Halo’s racing career is in doubt after suffering an injury at Blue Diamond Stakes
Gun Colt Brave Halo’s racing career could be over after he was sent to the Ballarat Veterinary Practice to be treated for a hind leg wound sustained in the Blue Diamond Stakes.
Owner Wally Daly said the brilliant three-time Ascot winner was at least facing a long recovery after galloping on to a brave fourth behind Little Brose in the Blue Diamond last month.
He said there was a real chance the Sean and Jake Casey-trained two-year-old would not race again.
“We hope he can race again,” said Daly.
“If he doesn’t, I have a couple of good mares and mares that I would use him to cover and I think he would make a good stallion.
“That’s the worst-case scenario.
“His leg is in a cast and the tendon is still intact but there are a few bruises.
“It’s just a matter of looking out for infection. He would need six months of spelling and rehab.”
Brave Halo burst onto the scene last spring with three Ascot wins from his first three starts, including a debut win over Live To Tell, the brilliant winner of the Supremacy Stakes on Saturday at Ascot.
Daly turned down big offers for the Brave Smash son after his hapless fourth place behind Barber at the Blue Diamond Prelude at Sandown last month.
“It’s a big kick in the butt,” Daly said of Brave Halo’s setback.
Meanwhile, owner Bob Peters has handed over a team of six gallops to Oldbury trainer Donna Riordan, led by five-time city winner Billy Ray.
City winners Rare Encounter and Extra Secret, uncompromising and unridden duo Regal Statue and Killarney have also joined Riordan’s stable.
She took over the Oldbury stable from Lindsey Smith when he closed his WA operations in January.
“Our other two trainers (Adam Durrant and Michael Grantham) have their quotas on our horses and it was always my plan to split them between three trainers,” said Peters.
“She has the right setup for this estate.”
Peters is still waiting to secure a starter for his place in the $4 million The Quokka (1200 million) at Ascot on April 15th.
“It will most likely be a horse from another stable,” said Peters.
“We talked to a few people from the east, but nobody comes.”
Peters will offer 12 broodmares at the Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale in May including Perth Cup winner Western Jewel, dam of Western Empire, and Truly Great’s dam, Truly Special.
Peters’ Group 1 winner, Graceful Girl, will also be offered at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale in May.
