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.

The Corner with Garry Chittick

No Corner last week; this week the Annual Thoroughbred Racing Awards night certainly deserves acknowledgment. It is the second of two nights of measurement of Thoroughbred achievements for the year, with the first focussing on our Breeders’ awards.

9 September 2026

Savabeel’s Group 1 daughter Belle Cheval retired

Belle Cheval, by champion sire Savabeel, enjoyed a stellar career: placing in the NZ 1000 Guineas, winning the Almanzor Trophy and Uncle Remus Stakes, finishing second in The Kiwi, then claiming Group 1 glory in Australia’s Vinery Stud Stakes before retiring to broodmare duties.