‘I was sceptical … but we started seeing marked improvement’: Owner says Tvati Oil a key ingredient of Alligator Blood’s recovery from serious injury

Seven-time Group 1 winning superstar Alligator Blood’s part-owner says the iconic horse may not be approaching a miracle return to racing without a ‘magic potion’ from the Cook Islands.

Alligator Blood. Picture: Racing Photos

What do hibiscus and horses have in common?

You wouldn't think much.

But suddenly, they do.

Alligator Blood’s part-owner Jeff Simpson has credited a “magic potion” from the Cook Islands, containing extract from the bark of a hibiscus tree as well as coconut oil, for the seven-time Group 1 winner’s remarkable recovery and upcoming return to racing.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Simpson said the pastern injury suffered by Alligator Blood in January 2024 was so significant there was an even-money chance he had run his last race.

But Simpson insisted an unusual treatment of Tvati Oil – a remedy from the Cook Islands which is used to treat bone, cartilage and soft tissue injuries – had helped to conjure a racing miracle.

Simpson was contacted by Tvati’s Sean Cahill – the older brother of Australian soccer legend Tim Cahill – early in Alligator Blood’s rehabilitation.

Initially, Simpson was unsure but said he gave Tvati a go when Alligator Blood was at his property in Brisbane’s north.

• How Ben Dorries' revealed Alligator Blood shock stable swap

With Alligator Blood having a successful first trial at Warwick Farm this month – and poised for another one at Rosehill Gardens on Tuesday before his expected return in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes – Simpson was convinced the quirky treatment had worked wonders.

“I was a bit sceptical when I was first contacted about Tvati and so was Robyn (Simpson’s wife and Alligator Blood part-owner),” Simpson said.

“The injury was pretty severe but when we started using Tvati we started seeing a great, marked improvement.

“We treated him with it for five months and while we were using it, he was improving all the time and all he wanted to do was go out in the paddock and run.

“Everyone was blown away by how quickly this horse recovered, given the injury was so serious.

“I’m not sure what else you could put it down to.”

Alligator Blood with his part owner Jeff Simpson, pictured when the champion horse was recovering at Simpson’s property north of Brisbane. Picture: Ben Dorries

• Racenet reveals Alligator Blood's comeback race

Cahill said Tvati had been used by human athletes including football players from Arsenal, Everton and Liverpool in the English Premier League.

He said Tvati was absorbed into the bloodstream to promote healing.

“I didn’t know much about horse racing, but I was told this famous horse (Alligator Blood) had broken down and so I got hold of Jeff Simpson and explained what this product did,” Cahill said.

“At the start he didn’t believe it, but when it started to work he now thinks there is not a shadow of doubt that it really helped.”

During the latter stages of his recovery, Alligator Blood was transferred from Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott to Chris Waller.

TAB fixed odds has the star horse as a $15 chance to make an incredible winning return in the $1.5 million Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 19.

Alligator Blood, now eight, has won almost $9.3m and been one of Australia’s best horses this decade.