Time called on quality mare

15 February 2016

WS’s Group Two-winning mare Sports Illustrated has been forced into pre-mature retirement. The curtain fell on the racing career of the Garry Chittick-bred and raced daughter of Fast ‘N’ Famous following an injury to a suspensory in Saturday’s Gr.1 NRM Sprint at Te Rapa.

“She knuckled over and slipped quite badly about two-strides out of the gates,” co-trainer Andrew Forsman said.

“On Sunday morning when I got to the stable and we walked her out of her box, it was pretty obvious she had injured herself pretty badly, and scans confirmed it.”

Sports Illustrated won the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes at Te Rapa in 2014, and was also twice Group One placed, including a third behind Kawi and Stolen Dance in last month’s Thorndon Mile.

“The main thing is she will heal in time, and she will get every chance as a broodmare at Waikato Stud,” Forsman said.

Saltcoats stakes his claim for Premier’s Cup glory

Saltcoats (Ardrossan) stormed to a 2.33-length win in the rescheduled $160,000 Premier’s Cup Prelude, setting up a possible tilt at the Gr.3 Premier’s Cup later this month.

13 August 2025

The Corner with Garry Chittick

Many years ago, obviously before my brain had developed as far as it was allowed to go, I was an active member of Young Nationals. It was a social activity for a start, until I …