A quick play to save Coldplay

Just 24 hours after foaling a Super Seth filly, Savabeel‘s daughter Coldplay – owned by Gary Wallace who has been with Waikato Stud since the Palmerston North days, having bought a share in Centaine – showed subtle signs that something was wrong.

At 8am, Waikato Stud’s foaling manager Jess Greenfield spotted her uncomfortable in the paddock, and despite on-farm treatment, nothing was settling it.

Without hesitation, she was rushed straight to Matamata Vet Services. There, the MVS team, led by highly respected equine surgeon Dr Andrea Ritmeester, with Caroline Thompson on anaesthesia and Waikato Stud’s in-house veterinarian Matt Mackee in the thick of it, giving a helping hand, where they discovered the problem: a colon torsion. A high-risk surgery, rarely successful.

In Mark Chittick’s long history, he couldn’t recall ever saving one who presented with a colon torsion, and Dr Ritmeester, with 30 years’ experience, called it her very first. But this time, thanks to quick decisions, impeccable timing, and extraordinary teamwork by the MVS and WS teams, Coldplay pulled through.

Owner Gary Wallace, deeply appreciative, marked the moment by delivering a case of champagne, a special gesture for what was can only be attributed to the highly skilled and highly dedicated people.

“It was one of those situations where you might as well have a go – and thankfully, this time, it worked,” said principal Mark Chittick.

Coldplay’s story is a reminder that making quick decisions, luck and a fantastic team really can produce miracles.