Trainer Mitch Freedman confirms Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes winner Skybird ruled out of 2025 Newmarket Handicap with pectoral injury

Brilliant Group 1 Lightning Stakes winner Skybird has been ruled out of the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on Saturday at Flemington with a pectoral injury.

Skybird in full flight winning the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos

Brilliant Group 1 Lightning Stakes winner Skybird has been ruled out of the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on Saturday at Flemington with a pectoral injury.

Trainer Mitch Freedman has in mind the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) as an unlikely fallback option in three weeks.

Further afield, the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) and The Goodwood Handicap (1200m) could be considered.

“She won’t make it to the Newmarket,” Freedman said.

“She tore a muscle in her pec out of the Lightning, it’s unfortunate but it’s great she did the job for us the other day.

“We’re a chance (William Reid) but it’s getting more and more unlikely.

“She’s got great talent and we won’t risk her with that injury.”

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Freedman said Skybird would be spelled for spring should Adelaide plans not eventuate.

Skybird surged to victory in the Lightning Stakes last month with a breathtaking finish.

The four-year-old mare pulled up lame in the left foreleg.

Further examination confirmed the soft-tissue injury.

What a race ⚡️🤩

Skybird beats the boys to claim the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning for @Freedmanmitch 🏇#BCLightningpic.twitter.com/EH9fQUSRb4

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) February 15, 2025

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“Right underneath her chest where the girth sits, it’s (tear) in under there,” Freedman said.

“You can clearly feel it, it’s softening all the time and getting better.

“One of those things, compared to a joint or a ligament where you know your timelines and how quickly you can get them back … it’s just a bit of wait and see and see how you go.

“We’re doing a lot of things to try and get her back and right but we’ll see how we go.”

Meanwhile, Freedman has Attrition “right on track” for the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) on March 29 at Flemington.

Attrition finished second in Saturday’s Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Marble Arch wins the Group 2 @tabcomau Blamey Stakes and gains a run in the All-Star Mile! ⭐️

Congratulations to the Hayes Team and Mick Dee 🙌

🎥 @7horseracing#AusGuineas#RacingSpectacularpic.twitter.com/dfD9QNMt06

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) March 1, 2025

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“He had to give weight and positional advantage to the winner (Marble Arch),” Freedman said.

“I thought he was really good and when Zardozi (third) came up beside him, he was really digging in for the fight … the last furlong (200m) was super. He’s right on track.”

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Freedman said a decision would be made on whether to run in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) or head straight to the Australian Cup.

“He doesn’t need racing,” Freedman said.

“He’s so fit, so ready, it’s a matter of getting him there in the best possible shape.”

Originally published as Trainer Mitch Freedman confirms Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes winner Skybird ruled out of 2025 Newmarket Handicap with pectoral injury