Written by Paul Vettise
Time has been called on the career of Avantage, the best-performed representative of Champion Sire Fastnet Rock, due to a leg injury.
The 6-year-old was to have chased her 10th Group 1 victory in Saturday’s Tarzino Trophy at Hastings, but on Friday afternoon was found to have heat in her off foreleg and scans revealed a hole in her tendon.
Avantage winning the G1 Telegraph S
“We’re all absolutely gutted about Avantage, but unfortunately this can happen in racing,” trainer Jamie Richards said.
“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 1 winning 2-year-old that was named Champion 2YO and she’s gone on to conquer all before her in an amazing career.”
Avantage went on to win two editions of both the G1 Telegraph H. and the G1 Otaki Maori WFA S. and her top-flight tally also included the Railway S., Air New Zealand S., the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. and the Waikato Sprint.
“We just want to reiterate what a wonderful job she has done for all of us in the racing industry,” Richards said.
“We just want to reiterate what a wonderful job she (Avantage) has done for all of us in the racing industry.” – Jamie Richards
“It’s very sad for the owners and all the team, especially Nicole (Shailer), who looks after her in the Middle Barn, and Trev (Stewart) who straps her – they just adore her and she can be quite cranky at times.”
Nine-time Group 1 winner Avantage has been retired
Avantage was purchased by Te Akau principal David Ellis for NZ$210,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale where she was offered by The Oaks Stud on behalf of breeders Willie and Karen Calder.
She went on to win 16 races and NZ$2.1 million for the Te Akau Avantage Syndicate managed by Karyn Fenton-Ellis.
Avantage is a daughter of the Zabeel (NZ) mare Asavant (NZ), who won the Listed Warstep S. and was third in the G1 Waikato International S. She is a half-sister to the G1 HKJC Centenary Sprint Cup winner D B Pin (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}).
Te Akau has announced that Avantage will be sold as a future broodmare prospect to dissolve the racing partnership.
