Jimmy in the sales ring
The brilliant unbeaten Black Caviar’s younger brother has lost his battle with illness after two months of intensive care at a Victorian veterinary clinic.
The $5 million colt, Jimmy, at the centre of the collapse of BC3 Thoroughbreds, was euthanised on Sunday morning at the Werribee clinic.
Mark Webster, managing director of auction house William Inglis and Son which held security over the half brother to the champion mare, made the announcement on his blog.
“At approximately 11am this morning the Redoute’s Choice x Helsinge two-year-old colt known as Jimmy was euthanised on humane grounds at the Melbourne University Veterinary Hospital in Werribee Victoria,” Webster said.
“Jimmy was suffering from laminitis, a painful hoof condition that impacts on the mobility of horses.”
The colt is believed to have developed laminitis after suffering an adverse reaction to antibiotics being used to treat a swollen leg, apparently caused by a spider bite.
BC3 signed for an Australian record $5 million at the Easter Sale but defaulted on payment of the colt along with several other horses which are now for private sale by Inglis.
Other BC3 purchases are being re-auctioned by Magic Millions next month at its Gold Coast sale.
In the meanwhile, the Herald Sun Sport reports that Racing Victoria will investigate the ownership of Jimmy.
But none of the treatments he received are being probed at this stage.
The half-brother of Black Caviar died after a battle with hoof disease laminitis.
The horse had been bought by the now collapsed BC3 Thoroughbreds, which was run by controversial chairman Bill Vlahos who is in hiding after his $200 million punting club failed.
Former BC3 boss Craig Cameron has dismissed suggestions the horse met with foul play.
Racing Victoria integrity services general manager Dayle Brown said the investigation into BC3 was continuing.
“The scope of our investigation into BC3 Thoroughbreds and the operation of its racehorse ownership business is broad,” he said.
“We are not at this time specifically investigating any treatments which may have been administered to Jimmy.
“The Integrity Department will not be commenting further on the specifics of its investigation as it remains ongoing and complex.”
The most expensive colt sold at auction in Australia was never able to race.
Sorrow turned to anger on Sunday night when investors in Bill Vlahos’s BC3 Thoroughbreds realised they might have to pursue bloodstock agents Inglis for their share of a $5 million insurance payout.
One Goulburn Valley family syndicate paid $70,000 in insurance premiums above the $250,000 stake they put up for a 5 per cent share in the doomed colt at the Sydney Yearling Sales last Easter.
Graeme Wood, of Mooroopna, said: “Those of us who paid for the horse and paid for the insurance policy are morally entitled to our share of the insurance payout.”
But Mr Wood admitted he and other owners were not sure of their legal position until they contacted Inglis and liquidators of BC3 Thoroughbreds.
