Avantage Retired

Media Release - Friday September 17

Nine-time Group One winner Avantage has been retired from racing after suffering a tendon injury.

The Jamie Richards-trained six-year-old was favourite for Saturday’s Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings, the first Group One of the New Zealand racing season.

Star mare Avantage in full flight. Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images)

“We’re all absolutely gutted about Avantage but unfortunately this can happen in racing,” Richards said.

“We’d been very happy with her, but it became apparent when Nicole (Shailer) came back to work this afternoon that she had heat in her off-fore leg.

“We had the vet there to scan it immediately and she has a hole in the tendon and will be retired forthwith from racing.

“She’s been a wonderful mare who has achieved some incredible feats on the racetrack, and we can’t thank her enough for all the thrills and experiences she’s given us.

“A Karaka Million winner and Group One winning two-year-old that was named Champion Two-Year-Old and she’s gone on to conquer all before her in an amazing career.”

Advertisement

Bred by Willie and Karen Calder from Bluff, the daughter of Fastnet Rock and the Group One performed Zabeel mare Asavant was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for $210,000 at the 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Premier Sale.

A Group winner on both sides of the Tasman, Avantage boasted 16 wins from 28 starts, with a further 8 placings.

The $2.1 million prize money winner was raced by the Te Akau Avantage Syndicate and has won the most Group One races of any of Fastnet Rock’s 41 individual Group One winners.

A model of consistency, Avantage’s versatility was also one of her greatest attributes, winning at elite level at distances ranging from 1200m to 2000m.

With last season’s Horse of the Year still to be announced after the event was postponed due to a COVID-19 outbreak, Avantage’s five Group One victories last season put her firmly in the conversation for top honours.

With her granddam Pins ‘N’ Needles a Group Three winner and dam of Group One winning Hong Kong sprinter D B Pin, Avantage is sure to be a popular broodmare prospect. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
First Win for Storm Boy Half-Brother by Pierro
Progressive Pierro colt Shangri La Boy is a very different horse to his older half-brother Storm Boy and while that Group winning colt is covering his first book of mares at Coolmore this spring, this fellow is on his way with an impressive maiden win at Rosehill on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 1
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Promising Victory For Too Darn Hot’s Ripley
Racing in the same Qatar Bloodstock coloured silks worn to victory on Friday night by West of Swindon (Wootton Bassett) in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes, 3yo Too Darn Hot colt Ripley highlighted his future potential with a two-length maiden victory at Rosehill on Wednesday.
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
Swettenham Stud Delighted with Lofty Strike Foals
Swettenham Stud are delighted with the growing buzz of excitement surrounding the first foals for young gun sire Lofty Strike.
Godolphin’s Lonhro Filly Proficient On Debut
From the penultimate crop of Darley’s Champion Sire Lonhro, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained 3yo filly Proficient started the race favourite, winning the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1000m) at Sandown Hillside in a fighting finish. 
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
Magic Trials at Caulfield Heath
Early season two-year-olds will step out this Thursday, 2 October, at the Caulfield Spring Trials presented by Magic Millions, with 800m 2YO heats following the opening trial for Group performers at 7:30am on the Caulfield Heath.
Talented So You Think Mare Goes Two for Two
So You Think is setting the pace for winners this season as we head into October and one of those promising winners is talented four year-old mare Enamorada, who made it two wins in as many starts when saluting at Sandown on Wednesday as favourite.
Bryce Bevan Appointed Head of Digital at Magic Millions
Magic Millions' commitment to conduct online thoroughbred auctions has received a huge boost with today's announcement that Bryce Bevan has been appointed as Head of Digital.