Breeders Plate Winner Dies in Tragic Pool Mishap

Tara Madgwick - Tuesday November 26

Ole Kirk’s first stakes-winner King Kirk was in action at the barrier trials at Randwick this morning, but in tragic news the winner of the Group III ATC Breeders Plate lost his life later in the day following an incident at the swimming pool.

Vale, King Kirk - image Steve Hart

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained two year-old drowned after taking fright while having a swim at the Randwick racecourse horse pool during his recovery session this afternoon. He contested a 740m barrier trial earlier this morning to finish a comfortable fourth under a hold for Tim Clark.

"Unfortunately, King Kirk has passed away this afternoon following an incident that occurred during his recovery," a release from the Waterhouse and Bott stable told owners of MyRacehorse.

"King Kirk was routinely swimming at the Randwick racecourse horse pool under the supervision of his regular handler and foreman, when he panicked causing him to swallow a significant amount of water in the process.

Advertisement

"Despite the efforts by his handlers, ATC (Australian Turf Club), staff and veterinarians, he sadly could not be saved."

Ole Kirk was a $300,000 Magic Millions purchase from Widden Stud and had already won $141,000 for his big team of owners, who were no doubt dreaming of the Golden Slipper and will be devastated tonight.

Condolences to all  connected with this lovely colt that had the racing world at his feet.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Melbourne Cup Dream Alive for Kiwi Stayers
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) dreams are still alive for connections of Kiwi stayers Mark Twain and Trav.
Rewarding Weekend for Waikato Stud
A double strike at stakes level, a filly with a black-type future and a welcome family success handed Waikato Stud another rewarding weekend.
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale (November 12 and 13) is online with breeze up video now in place and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
Wootton Bassett and Camelot 2YO Colts Win Final French Group Ones
The last French Group I races of their flat season were run on Sunday and Aidan O’Brien produced the winners of both the Group I Criterium International (1600m) and Group I Criterium de Saint Cloud (1800m).
First Winner for King of Comedy
Novara Park Stud stallion King Of Comedy (IRE) is on the board as a sire, with his son Sir Ruby becoming his first winner when victorious over 1300m at Selangor Turf Club in Malaysia on Sunday.
From FNQ To Sha Tin - Aussie Bred Sprinter Wins G2 Premier Bowl
Some horses arrive in Hong Kong with a very different back story - Fresh from winning the $20million The Everest with Ka Ying Rising, David Hayes was back in the winner’s list at Sha Tin on Sunday when Tomodachi Kokoroe won the Group II Premier Bowl (1200m).
One to Watch – Sha Tin – You Don’t See That Every Day!
The Mark Newnham stable has been on fire in Hong Kong since the start of the new season and the former Sydney trainer produced a super promising winner at Sha Tin on Sunday by Capitalist that did everything wrong and miraculously still won the race!
Sires With Winners - Sunday October 26
Here is the full list of 74 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
King Kirk Triumphs for Ole Kirk in G3 Breeders' Plate
A magnificent start for Vinery Stud's Written Tycoon stallion Ole Kirk as King Kirk came with a barnstorming finish to make a winning debut in the Group III Arrowfield Breeders' Plate (1000m) at Randwick.
Impressive First winner for Armory
Mapperley Stud stallion Armory recorded his first winner on Sunday when his two-year-old daughter Silhouette raced to a dominant victory in the Fusion Electrical Two-Year-Old (900m) at Trentham.