Val De Ra retires

NICCI GARNER: LAST Saturday’s Champions Day meeting is one that trainer Dennis Drier cannot wait to “turn the page on’’.



His champion mare, Val De Ra, favourite in the R1-million Computaform Sprint, finished tailed off and bleeding from the nostrils while his other raider, Torra Bay, had to have stitches in a cut just under her off-fore joint after finishing seventh in the R200,000 Camellia Stakes.

“The Computaform Sprint was a disaster from the start for Val De Ra,’’ Drier said. “Instead of coming out two to three lengths clear of the field as normal, she came out sideways. Alec’s (Forbes) boot was blue from where it brushed the pens. After that she was never in it.

“The guts and courage she showed trying to make up the ground was too much for her. When Alec felt there was something amiss he left her alone. Thank God for that!

“She was coughing walking round the unsaddling ring and by the time we got her back to the holding boxes where she was stabled, the blood was trickling out of her off-fore nostril.

“These things come to test you,’’ he continued, sad the horse he admits is “one of his favourites of all time’’ ended her brilliant career on such a low note when he wanted to retire her after the Cape Flying Championship. “We decided the wrong way.’’

Val De Ra has had a problem since early in her career when she bled outwardly after her second career start and was suspended. “We’ve had to worry about it all along. Every time we galloped and sprinted her. It’s been nerve-wracking,’’ admitted Drier, who has managed to keep the Var five-year-old going through three arduous seasons of racing at the top level. “But I couldn’t have done it if she was not amazingly courageous and so full of heart!’’

She has won 11 of her 13 career starts including last year’s Computaform Sprint, the South African Fillies Sprint and the Cape Flying Championship. She earned R1,848,140 – a superb bankroll for a sprinter.

Val De Ra will not race again and will be sent to Avontuur Stud in the Cape at the end of May. She is likely to be sent to stud overseas once the ban on equine exports has been lifted.

Drier’s other runner, Torra Bay, is a filly he is hoping can come close to filling Val De Ra’s shoes as the stable star.

“Alec said going through the 600m she was cantering. I won’t say we could have beaten Welwitschia, but he hadn’t even thought about moving on her when all of a sudden, she started veering across the course.

“I’ve never seen blood like that. She must have clipped an artery, right under the off-fore joint. She’ll be fine, though.

“This is a trip to Gauteng I wouldn’t want to repeat,’’ he concluded.

Sad to see such a talented horse retire.
Can you explain what causes these bleeds.... why suspension... why so sudden? Would be interesting to know the insides of a horse bleeding. Especially seeing as it occurred before and not after the 'away they go'

search bleeding on the site

hibernia Wrote:

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> search bleeding on the site

Will do Hibs...

On Google not so pretty...
I did that....

First three results...
Wikipedia bleeding... broad subject matter..
2nd vaginal bleeding.. just eaten..
3rd rectal bleeding... even my biltong won't stay down..

I thought it would result(due to web linkages)..

Bookie bleeding... I actually sat up with positive thoughts about the cowboys shooting all the outlaws..
Punter bleeding.. serves you right thoughts..
Horse bleeding...

J S Afr Vet Assoc. 2003 Dec;74(4):127-31. Epistaxis related to exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage in south African Thoroughbreds. Weideman H, Schoeman SJ, Jordaan GF, Kidd M. Jockey Club of Southern Africa, Kenilworth Racecourse, Rosmead Avenue, Kenilworth 7700, South Africa. wcrb@jockeyclubsa.co.za

Abstract This study investigated if environmental factors had an effect on the incidence of epistaxis related to exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) among racehorses in southern Africa. Data covering the period 1986-2001 and involving 778 532 race runs were analysed. This included the following information: date of race, age, sex, name of breeder, trainer, distance, jockey, state of going, weight carried, racing centre and altitude. Veterinarians employed by the Jockey Club suspended officially entered horses that presented with epistaxis (frank bleeding from the nostrils) after racing. On-course endoscopy is not performed as a standard practice at any southern African racetrack. Epistaxis was identified in 1287 horses (0.165%). More horses presented with EIPH-related epistaxis (a) at sea level, (b) from May to October, (c) when older (> 3 years), (d) after 1995, (e) on Fridays and Sundays, and (f) more in geldings than in mares or entire males. No association could be established between epistaxis and breeder, trainer, distance run, jockey, state of going and weight carried. It is concluded that the frequency of EIPH-related epistaxis is associated with altitude, winter and spring, sex and age. It is suggested that racing at lower altitudes may increase the probability of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage.

Brilliant filly. She had a great career and is a credit to her handlers.

Two champions in i week,first JJ now Val De Ra.Im sure the connections are devastated,as they become a part of your life.

What an amazing filly. She is worth rockets, so this is the best thing for the breeders. All the best to everyone concerned and thanks to Val for the lovely memories and more than a hand full of bankers in the exotics. You will be sorely missed, but definitley won't be forgotten! Enjoy the time off and you will be remembered for one of the better sprinters this country has ever produced!!!!