Dual Met winner Rainbow Bridge will not return to defend his title in the WSB Cape Town Met on 29 January.
Trainer Eric Sands told the Sporting Post on Thursday that a collective decision by the SA Horse Of The Year’s connections had led to the decision to call time on an illustrious career.
The champion will be missed! Rainbow Bridge wins the Met under Luke Ferraris in 2021 9Pic – Chase Liebenberg)
“He has had a niggle on the near fore and it has deteriorated over time with age and wear and tear. He ran a courageous third in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate on Saturday and I noted some discomfort.”
Eric Sands said it was a tough decision to make just weeks away from him bidding to win the Met for the third time.
“But between his owners Mike and Norma Rattray and Breeder Mary Slack, and myself as the trainer, I believe the right decision has been made. He owes nobody anything and it’s not worth risking anything for a top horse who has given his all,” added the veteran trainer who said that his star would be retired to the Wilgerbosdrift paddocks.
“He will stay with us here at Milnerton and won’t travel until he is 100% right and comfortable to do so. We may give him a send-off as he has been a faithful and wonderful horse.”
Originally a R300 000 National Yearling Sale buy, Rainbow Bridge was bred by Wilgerbosdrift and Mauritzfontein and retires as a 7yo gelded son of Ideal World (Kingmambo).
He is out of the seven-time winner and multiple SA Champion broodmare Halfway To Heaven (Jet Master.
Rainbow Bridge has won 11 races from 26 starts for stakes of over R8 million.
