Halmahera put down after a second attack of colic
by Graham Green
.
KEVIN RYAN paid tribute to Halmahera on Tuesday after his three-time Portland Handicap winner had to be put down after suffering a second attack of colic.
The death has saddened the Ryan family, who kept the 12-year-old as a pet since his retirement from racing two seasons ago, and in particular the trainer's daughter, Amy, 18, who has been showjumping him.
Halmahera won nine of his 101 races, and was placedon another 20 occasions, but will be best remembered for his hat-trick of triumphs in the Doncaster cavalry charge between 2002-2004 when carrying the colours of John Duddy and Gillian Quinn, wife of ex-footballer Niall Quinn, now the Sunderland chairman.
Halmahera's successes also included two victories at Ascot, including the 1997 Cornwallis Stakes when trained by Ian Balding, and a Listed event at Newcastle. He earned more than £300,000 in prize-money.
Ryan said: “I bought him as a six-year-old at the Horses In Training Sale, out of Mr Balding's, and there was something about Doncaster that made him a stone better horse there. Winning three Portlands in a row was a great feat, and he was just a wonderful horse to train, so uncomplicated.
“My daughter has been looking after him since he retired, and she has been taking him showjumping, and he has had a great life really. It is sad it had to end this way. He got colic and we thought he was coming through it okay, but then he got a second attack of it and he was very uncomfortable, and on veterinary advice the most humane thing was to put him to sleep.” - Racing Post
Rest in peace.
|