Twitter goes nuts as NZ racehorse Gingernuts is officially retired

POPULAR New Zealand racehorse Gingernuts has been retired, almost a year after suffering a life-threatening leg injury as he was going to the barriers for the Emirates Stakes at Flemington.

Gingernuts after breaking down on his way to the barriers for last year’s Emirates Stakes. Picture: Michael Klein

POPULAR New Zealand racehorse Gingernuts has been retired, almost a year after suffering a life-threatening leg injury as he was going to the barriers for the Emirates Stakes at Flemington.

His jockey Michael Dee was walking him to the gates on November 11 when he felt something wrong and immediately jumped off.

FLEMINGTON DRAMA: GINGERNUTS BREAKS DOWN

Gingernuts takes out the Rosehill Guineas race in March last year. Picture: AAP

Gingernuts will live out his days at Te Akau Stud where he has been recovering since February after undergoing surgery in Victoria on a broken pastern.

The winner of the 2017 New Zealand Derby, Rosehill Guineas and Windsor Park Plate at Group 1 level, Gingernuts was officially retired on veterinary advice on Monday.

The announcement drew a huge response on Twitter for the hugely popular racehorse.

Gingernuts gin the hands of vets after breaking down on his way to the barrier before last year’s Emirates Stakes at Flemington. Picture: Michael Klein

“Gingernuts is undoubtedly the most popular horse we have had at Te Akau,” stud principal David Ellis said.

“He captured hearts and imaginations and has a huge following. We were stunned by the outpouring of care and concern when he suffered his life-threatening injury in Melbourne.

We also salute Jerry’s brilliant owners who’ve supported him & us, who love their boy to pieces & have been so truly committed to his future well-being! Also our whole team who have cared & loved him every day of his racing career - that ❤️ definitely continues #jerrylove

— Te Akau Racing (@TeAkauRacing) September 3, 2018

Thank you for supporting him on this journey #jerrylove https://t.co/wNHh0yXaaI

— Te Akau Racing (@TeAkauRacing) September 3, 2018

Ha ha he needs to stay away from these - he's tubby already :) #jerrylove https://t.co/QAZk6KtY6f

— Te Akau Racing (@TeAkauRacing) September 3, 2018

Thank you Kim - he has wonderful and passionate owners who would have loved to see him race again - but when we ascertained the position, they were completely behind his retirement - they love him #jerrylove https://t.co/VTbyGdWmsx

— Te Akau Racing (@TeAkauRacing) September 3, 2018

“It has almost been a year since his injury and during that time, ‘Jerry’ has had the best veterinary care possible.

“Three separate specialists have now thoroughly re-examined and again X-rayed him and he is retired.

Gingernuts rests up during his recovery back home in New Zealand.

“The bottom line is that the veterinary surgeons advise against racing “Jerry” again.

“They state that there is a strong possibility that the damage to his injured leg is such, that he would likely favour the injured leg and that is a risk that we are absolutely not prepared to take.

“Gingernuts is such a special horse.

We would never compromise his health and well-being being. His owners are also adamant that their boy comes first, so he will now spend the rest of his days as promised at Te Akau Stud.

“We have already been contacted by racing clubs who are keen to have Gingernuts lead out fields for their Group 1 races or be paraded at their major days. This is a possibility for sure.”