3 minute read

The racing days of Great Shot has come to an end.

The Magnus gelding bows out of racing having claimed eights wins and 22 placings from 47 starts with $1.5 million in prizemoney.

His best victory came in the 2017 Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) when he led from barrier to post and scored in an exciting finish to the $1 million race.

With Craig Staples in the saddle, Great Shot held strong and staved off the fast-finishing Black Heart Bart to win by a half-head with Tom Melbourne third.

The stable flag bearer for trainer, Rhys Radford, Great Shot also won Listed races in the Belmont Guineas, Cyril Flower Stakes and Old Comrade Stakes.

As an eight-year-old, Great Shot was expected to contest Saturday's Roma Cup (1200m) but was ruled out of contention and eventually retired after a track gallop last Saturday.

"His work on Saturday was very ordinary that I had to get him vetted," Radford told The Races WA.

"He contracted a virus which effectively ruled him out of the winter.

"We knew this day was coming and it was decided to retire him.

"In the end I'm happy it was only a virus because on his work I thought it could have been something more serious.

"He will be looked after and start his next career in eventing.

"He has done more for me than he ever could know.

"There is not a day that goes past that I don't relive the Railway Stakes.

"Training horses like him was easy, he always tried his heart out."