High-class stayer Sangster retired

23 October 2014

Millionaire galloper and triple Group One winner Sangster has run his last race.

The decision was made following the son of Savabeel’s unplaced performance in the Gr.2 Herbert Power at Caulfield earlier this month.

Sangster had previously finished runner-up at Moonee Valley behind the Gr.1 Cox Plate aspirant The Cleaner in his first appearance in Melbourne for the spring.

“He’s been racing in top-line events and Group One races ever since he won the Derby and he’s never had the best knees or joints,” said Trent Busuttin, who prepared the six-year-old with his partner Natalie Young.

“He came through his very unlucky run in the JRA Cup super and we were confident going into the Herbert Power, but he jarred up and was sore so we elected to retire him and find him a good home.”

Sangster was a debut winner at Hawera as a two-year-old and was successful in his first three-year-old appearance at Warwick Farm.

He progressed to finish third in the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes and two runs later he triumphed in the Gr.1 VRC Derby in the hands of Hugh Bowman.

Sangster was winless on his next preparation, but he showed the benefit of a lengthy spell when he returned to win the Gr.1 International Stakes, the Gr.2 Avondale Gold Cup and the Gr.1 Auckland Cup in consecutive outings.

Purchased at Karaka by Busuttin for $19,000 out of Kilgravin Lodge’s 2010 Ready to Run Sale draft, Sangster was sparingly raced and retires with six wins and seven placings from his 29 career starts. – NZ Racing Desk.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

It is not the easiest role, that of Chairman of our Thoroughbred Racing Board. Like all chairmanships, one’s mind is rarely not occupied with the responsibility. To our Chairman, I say thanks. A lifetime in the industry, Chairman of our largest club, it is difficult to identify someone more suited to the role.

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