Aidan O’Brien’s Wichita, a son of Coolmore stallion No Nay Never, sustained a serious leg injury at the Werribee International Horse Centre in Australia yesterday morning.
The 3-year-old was doing some trackwork as part of his preparation for the Spring Racing Carnival when he suffered a fracture to his right hind leg. It was only detected after he had completed his work and returned to his box.
Racing Victoria and stable vets assessed the horse’s injury to determine an appropriate management plan.
Positive news came today, however, about the recent Doncaster bet365 Group 2 Park Stakes winner. The colt came through surgery on his fractured leg and is in good health.
Aidan O’Brien’s travelling foreman T J Comerford said:
“He’s grand out there this morning and it’s like it has never happened to him. They screwed his joint and he has come out of it well.”
It was initially thought Wichita would return to Ireland to take up stud duties next year. Today, however, Comerford said the colt’s racing career may not be over, stating:
“He’ll be fine again to race, so we’ll probably bring him back to Ireland in a few months’ time and probably leave him here (to recuperate) for the time being.”
Wichita’s primary target during the Spring Racing Carnival was the Group 1 Cantala Stakes on October 31.
