Tragic News
Sep 23rd, 2007 by Bert
Captain Hurricane died of a heart attack this morning on the gallops. He had recently been transferred to Tom Dascombe and was doing his first serious piece of work this morning. He ran a bit flat and the jockey decided to get off and walk him back to the stable - a few minutes later he keeled over and died immediately, probably from a ruptured aorta.
The Captain was the first horse owned by the Comic Strip heroes and the first I had a piece of for many years. We bought him cheaply for 22k guineas as he had splints - Pete realised quickly that he was a classy horse. He came second twice before winning the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket. We were offered a million dollars for him but we turned it down. The ground was desperate in the Prix Morny where he came a respectable fourth - for whatever reason he never ran a decent race again. He appeared to retain a lot of his ability but he was extremely headstrong and hard to handle. had always hoped that he would recover his form in time as many sprinters do, but it wasn’t to be.
Lord Snooty finally made his debut yesterday, and finished the race with blood dripping from both nostrils. He had bled on the gallops before but he had been unwell and we had hoped that this was the cause - unfortunately it looks as if it’s not the case. This is very bad news as we believed him to be a real top class animal.
There are ways forward from this. There is a drug called Lasix that can improve bleeding problems, but in the UK a horse cannot run with Lasix in his system. In the US it is legal to run on Lasix - it may be that we will have to send Lord Snooty over there now.
No luck elsewhere either. Etoile Argentee is lame and needs an operation. Shepherd’s Warning ran extremely well to finish fourth, but I don’t pick up on my place bet. Lord Peter Flint ran today and lost in a photo having lead all the way to the line.
8 Responses to “Tragic News”
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What sad news. I had half shares in a mare which was much loved despite being among the slowest horses in training and which died during foaling, along with the foal. These things are a very sad part of owning racehorses and condolences for the loss of Captain Hurricane and hopes that Lord Snooty can overcome his problems.
Sorry to hear that, Bert. Yesterday definitely qualifies as a Really Bad Day. Hope to see you around in Hammersmith now I’m back at Betfair after 6 months away?
Much as I enjoy your blogs this was one that I wished not to have read. Really sad to read of the death of the Cap’n and I do hope that Snooty’s problems can be resolved soonest.
Very sorry to read this. The downs of racing, but the ups make up for it in the end!
5James
Bert peter flint is a class horse and i am going to sell yu house and back him to win next time and im not even a bit apprehensive. In my opinion Brian Meehan is the best trainer of the bunch. Peter is talented but i respect Brian more then pete. Tom is young and is continuing after his father i hope he will one day be very succesful. Brian has an amazing set up and the best gallops in England this for me is where i would send my racehorses personally. He is an extremely talented man. Very sorry about the captain great shame it always is. Special branc ami will win next time! Good luck to you.
Mission for you bert give me 3 winners from friday to next friday if you can give me 3 winners i will have faith in your tipping and general horseracing knowledge. Good luck
Three tips eh…
Shepherd’s Warning is sure to run a good race, but she may lack a finishing kick. 2.16 for a place feels like very good value.
I think Effingham tomorrow could be a knocking bet. 6f on a flat track on soft ground - perfect - and he ought to be some sort of price having limped in 8th of 10 last time. I’ll put him in.
And the third one - the mighty Winker WILL WIN the Middle Park next Friday.
I am so sorry to hear about the Captain Hurricane. Such sadness,