3 minute read
He is a horse who has raced for seven consecutive seasons, has always been sound and has amassed more than $625,000 prizemoney after winning his second stakes race in his penultimate lifetime start at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
The 9YO Falvelon gelding Gundy Son charged along the rail to grab Saturday’s $100,000 Listed Goldmarket and has just one more racetrack assignment before he is off to the paddock to enjoy retirement.
That will be a quick back up to run in Saturday’s $350,000 Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast.
“He’s taken us to Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, he’s won a race on Magic Millions day and now he has won a Goldmarket,” said part-owner Cutter Hayes after Gundy Son’s latest success.
“We love him!”
Trainer Tony Gollan has real soft spot for the veteran.
“This horse means so much to these owners and they are all so terrific to train for. This is what it is all about - it’s why people get into racing and it’s why trainers love doing what we do.
“I have only had Gundy in his twilight years but he is a pleasure to have around and he will be sorely missed when he leaves after next week.
“It’s been a long-term plan to retire him on Magic Millions day and he deserves to be in there swinging on the big stage.
The stakes win by Gundy Son, and the earlier win at the Gold Coast by Nicky Nocky, cemented Falvelon’s position among the top four active stallions in Queensland behind Jet Spur, Real Saga and Show A Heart.
Gundy Son, one of nine stakeswinners by Falvelon, was having his 66th start in the Goldmarket, his first victory for almost two years.
From the Dantibes mare Dantibes’ Treasure, he has now won ten times with 18 placings.
Purchased originally by John Wallace for $26,000 at the 2007 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, he again went through the ring at the following year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses In Training Sale, where he was purchased by Maurice Hayes for $50,000.
The gelding is the best-performed of six foals to race out of Dantibes’ Treasure, a half sister to the Listed winner Treasure The Twila (Mister Kwila) from Hide The Treasure (Spritely Knight).