Imported galloper Midsummer Sun was put down after he suffered an injury at the conclusion of a barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens this morning.
Midsummer Sun (pictured winning at Caulfield) made history earlier this year by winning back-to-back editions of the Gosford Cup. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Midsummer Sun contested the opening barrier trial of the morning over 1030 metres at Rosehill Gardens and finished in third position behind Red Excitement and He’s Your Man, but broke down after pulling up at the conclusion of the trial.
A devastated Sam Kavanagh confirmed on Twitter that Racing New South Wales Veterinarians had been forced to put down Midsummer Sun and he paid tribute to the horse that had delivered him the biggest win of his training career to date.
“The saddest moment for us all losing Midsummer Sun this morning,” Kavanagh said.
“An amazing and brave horse!
“Heavy heart for all of us today.”
TVN and The Age Racing Journalist Mick Sharkie played a role in bringing Midsummer Sun to Australia and was one of a large group of owners that were given many thrills by the Monsun gelding since he arrived in Australia.
“I wish every owner could have a horse like Midsummer Sun,” Sharkie post on Twitter.
“All he ever gave us was his best.
“Many thanks to Sam Kavanagh.
“RIP my old mate.”
Midsummer Sun started his racing career under the care of Sir Henry Cecil in the United Kingdom and he was purchased by Kavanagh and connections after he finished fifth in the Listed Chester Stakes (2696m) in September of 2012.
He made his racing debut with back-to-back wins in Adelaide and Brisbane in the autumn of 2013 and he was given an opportunity at Group level in Brisbane, but he failed to fire in both the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2200m) and Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m).
Midsummer Sun made a slow start to his 2013 Spring Racing Carnival campaign, but he recorded a maiden black type win in the Listed Gosford Cup (2100m) on January 10 last year and finished second behind Entirely Platinum in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22.
The Sam Kavanagh-trained galloper was narrowly denied a return to winning form in the Cellarbrations At Valentine Handicap (1900m), the Listed ATC Cup (2000m) and the Summer Cup (2000m) before he became just the second horse to win back-to-back editions of the Gosford Cup.
Midsummer Sun recorded seven wins from his 31 starts and accumulated over $400,000 in prizemoney for connections.
