The Triple Crown hero Abashiri damaged a suspensory ligament in Saturday’s Vodacom Durban July and was pulled out of the race in the straight by jockey Piere Strydom.

Abashiri

It is the end of the star gelding’s racing career.

The good-looking chestnut will spend a week in hospital and will then enjoy a likely pampered retirement being looked after by his trainer Mike Azzie and family.

He won six races in 19 starts and earned R4,289,250 in stakes.

He is by the Lammerskraal Stud sire Go Deputy and was also bred by Lammerskraal.

He was purchased for R400,000 at the 2014 National Yearling Sales.

Gold Circle’s Tote turnover for Saturday’s event was 7% down on last year but they were nevertheless pleased as it had come on the back of two increases in turnover in the previous two years and the July was also competing this year with two World Cup football quarter-final matches.

By David Thiselton