GRAND QUILL – a grand horse 🦄
As we announce the retirement of stable favourite Grand Quill, we would like to highlight his impact on our small stable.
Quill first came into our lives 3 years ago as a 14-start maiden. He was quirky but had a lovely temperament and being good to ride he quickly got claimed by Lauren. Only a few days before Quill’s second race for us Lauren was kicked in the head by a horse (not Quill!) which put her in a coma in hospital in Melbourne. Brian took Quill to the races still as he knew Lauren would want him to keep going. Quill ran 3rd at big odds like he knew everyone needed some positivity.
When Lauren came out of hospital and was back on course to watch Quill race, he ran a strong 2nd - again at good odds - and then backed it up the next start with his first win. It was a triumph not only for the horse but for us and our family after what we had been through.
Quill got Lauren back riding again after her accident, being a safe and reliable mount.
When other horses in the stable had us scratching our heads, Quill would step up to keep us in good spirits. He is all heart and he became “Mr. Consistent” raceday due to him always giving 100%, even if the races weren’t run to suit he would try his best. His positive work ethic saw him run top 5 in 20 of his 29 races with us – with 11 of those being top 3!
We had two long and successful seasons racing Quill but the third prep saw it come crashing down. After just one race into his final season Quill became ill and we discovered he had a growth in his throat which if left to continue growing could have killed him, so it was obvious he would need surgery. Although the prognosis for racing afterwards was bleak, he deserved to be able to live a happy and healthy life. So Quill had the op and was such a good patient in the following weeks of box rest and daily medications. When the surgical wound had healed he went out to the paddock for a few months to recover. We broug
We were back at the races today for the first time in 3 months, this time with first starter L'allegro.
It was a nice enough first up effort, running 6th and he is still quite raw and needs further.
Looking forward to his next run and watching him progress 🏇
🐴Happy retirement Chill Factor🐴
Although she wasn't the first horse to race for us or our first winner, Chill Factor was the first thoroughbred that we purchased and she taught us a lot in the time that we had her. We bought her for a measly $5225 as a yearling, Brian broke her in himself and we had a lot of adventures with her.
Bella as she was affectionately known was a lovely mare to have around the stables. In the end she decided she'd had enough of being a racehorse, so she has been retired and now looking forward to a new career as an off-the-track pleasure horse.
Chill Factor's successful racing career of 24:2-2-2 saw her earn $52,525 - which doesn't seem like a lot to the big guys but it was 10x her purchase price! She was our first city place getter, running a nice 3rd at Sandown this prep.
It is sad to see Bella go but we look forward to seeing her new adventures and we have many memories to remember her and the part she played in our stables.
Grand Quill season summary 2022
Grand Quill has gone out for a well earnt spell after a long and successful racing prep.
Quill loves being in work and racing and it still amazes us how well he keeps backing up! Although he wasn't disgraced at his last start - running 5th on a heavy track - he is a synthetic specialist so we have put him away now for next year.
A big thank you to Alana Kelly for forming a great bond with Quill, she has given him more confidence in his races and he runs so well for her.
Here's a summary of Grand Quill's season, showing just how tough and honest this little horse is! 😍🦄