Group 1 winner dies of mystery infection.

Australia: Perth Group 1 winner Gilded Venom has been put down after losing his battle against a mystery bacterial infection.

The winner of the Group 1 Railway Stakes in 2008 was destroyed at the Baldivis Veterinary Clinic where vets had battled for two weeks to save the four-year-old.

Owner-trainer Steve Wallace found swelling in Gilded Venom's offside knee on New Years Day.

Vets attempted a range of treatments and antibiotics to combat the infection without success.



Wallace told Perth Racing: "He had 19 days of the strongest antibiotics known to man and his white cell levels were still increasing. We had no other option then to end it all.

"It is terrible news for everyone but that's racing and he gave us a wonderful ride."

Gilded Venom won more than A$1.13 million (£533, 757) prizemoney winning eight of his 20 starts. He will be buried at Wallace's stud near Perth.