Sidelined superstar pacer Ride High may have run his last race.

That’s the opinion of his owner-breeder Peter Gleeson, who is already progressing plans for one of the most gifted pacer’s of the modern era to “serve a full book of mares” at stud later this year.

“I hope I’m wrong, but I fear the worst,” he said. “He’s now had problems with both front tendons 18 months apart. I’ve been involved with horses for a long time, I’ve told my family and I’m bracing myself for the fact he won’t race again.”

Ride High suffered just his second defeat in 18 starts when fifth at his most recent run in the Group 2 Smoken Up Sprint at Melton on October 3, last year. He was subsequently found to have injured a tendon.

“I went out and saw him a week or so back and he’s big, really big. Clayton and Emma’s water-walker has been out of action for the past month or so and he hasn’t done much, so he’s put on plenty of weight.

“I hope I’m wrong, but it’s a long way back from here. He’s months away from racing even if everything went right from here.

“It’s that last month or so, when they really have to put the pressure on him which worries me the most.

“He’s a big, heavy horse and 65 per cent of their weight goes through their front legs.”

Gleeson did a deal with Alan Galloway and Alabar Stud to buy half the horse for stud duties before his latest injury and all concerned are mindful of the looming breeding season.

“I’ve spoken to Alan who says we can juggle stud with still trying to get back to the races. I ran that by Clayton (Tonkin) a week or so back and he’s onboard. We all agree we can’t risk missing another breeding season with him,” Gleeson said.

Galloway, a giant of the international breeding industry, said Ride High is one of fastest and most talented pacers he’s seen in the world.

“I simply had to buy into him. Let’s hope he gets back to the races to show just how good he is, but, either way, he’s going to be in huge demand as a stallion – here, in NZ and in the US,” he said.

Story first published at racenet.com.au