Harness racing followers on both sides of the Tasman were in shock this afternoon when the news came through that champion mare Adore Me had been retired.
Just a week after her brilliant 1:47.7 performance at Menangle, the daughter of Bettors Delight has succumbed to an injury suffered in the Auckland Cup on Friday night.
When she faulted and galloped for a few strides at the 450 metres, everyone feared the worst at first, but were relieved when the vet exam suggested just some minor filling in her near foreleg.
However, an x-ray yesterday confirmed she had fractured the sesamoid in her near foreleg and the prognosis for her racing future was not good.
The decision was made fairly quickly to take no risks with Adore Me and her retirement then became a formality.
Part-owner Paul Kenny was very philosophcial when Harnesslink spoke to him this afternoon.
" She has given us so much enjoyment and it is sad it has to end like this," Kenny said.
" She injuried herself with 450 metres to go the other night and still picked herself up and only went under by a head.
" Mark wasn't happy with her yesterday, so he had her x-rayed and we found the fracture.
" We got a second opinion this morning and that verified the orgional diagnosis, so the decision was made there and then to retire her.
" At least she doesn't have to have an operation this way
" She will be just be boxed for two months."
The five-year-old goes to the breeding barn as one of the best racemares produced anywhere in the world.
Her time last Sunday was the quickest recorded on a 7/8th sized track and she belongs to a very small and select group of mares worldwide who have broken 1:48.
The winner of 26 races from just 36 starts, with seven placings and stakes of $1,677,032, gives you an idea of the quality of the mare.
But what will be the enduring memory for most harness racing enthusiasts in Australasia is her record 1:47.7 mile.
It was a display of power and speed rarely seen south of the equator and will live in the memory of all those lucky enough to have witnessed it.
Harnesslink Media
Auckland Cup
The 1:47.7 mile at Menangle