Career of seven-time Group 1 winner Alligator Blood draws to a close

Hopes of Alligator Blood making a return to the track have been dashed with the seven-time Group 1 winner retired.

Plans for prolific Group 1 winner Alligator Blood to make a return to racing have been dashed.

Premier trainer Chris Waller, who was overseeing the eight-year-old’s most recent return to the track, revealed on Wednesday that the seven-time group 1 winner had been retired.

“Despite trialling impressively last week, a slight amount of heat was detected in his leg this morning (Wednesday),” Waller said.

“While he’s trotting soundly, we believe it’s prudent not to push the boundaries. This issue is in the opposite leg to his original injury and is therefore unrelated, but the horse has nothing more to prove.

“My team was honoured to take over after his injury with the goal of getting him back to the races, while also assessing him carefully each week and after each trial.

“We have now reached a point where we believe he deserves a well-earned retirement.”

Purchased for just $55,000 as a yearling, Alligator Blood retires with 16 career wins, seven at Group 1 level, banking $9.3m in prizemoney.

And while the son of All Too Hard created several headlines on the track, he created just as many off it, with his 2020 Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas triumph marred in controversy after being stripped of the race due to a positive swab when trained by David Vandyke.

Alligator Blood winning the 2022 Stradbroke Handicap for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott Picture: Grant Peters/Trackside Photography

That triggered years of court action with the original owners fighting the decision, which remains ongoing.

After leaving Vandyke’s Sunshine Coast stables, Alligator Blood had three runs under trainer Billy Healey before being transferred to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

It was with Waterhouse and Bott where Alligator Blood enjoyed immense success with six Group 1 wins in 2022 and 2023.

“He became a true headliner under Gai and Adrian who did a remarkable job guiding him to multiple group 1 victories and elevating his stature with the public, where he earned a cult following,” Waller said.

“And notably, jockey Tim Clark formed a formidable partnership with Alligator Blood during his tenure with Waterhouse and Bott also.

“The owners fully agree with the decision to retire him. They’ve been fantastic to work with and they’ve had an amazing ride with Alligator Blood.”

Alligator Blood’s final race start was in the 2023 Champions Mile where he finished third to Pride Of Jenni.

Originally published as Career of seven-time Group 1 winner Alligator Blood draws to a close