One of the horses that helped put Nathan Purdon on the map here in Victoria has been retired after the discovery of pelvic fractures.
The stable announced via social media on Monday that Spellbound had run her last race, with plans now in place to start a breeding career.
The pelvis problem stemmed from Spellbound’s paddock accident in New Zealand, which forced her out of The Race in April.
“Unfortunately we have had to retire Spellbound,” the stable tweeted.
“She has been such a great mare to us and so many others and we will be forever grateful for the opportunity to train her.
“We will miss her spirited self but cannot wait to see her babies on the track.”
Purdon said it was advised that Spellbound was unlikely to ever reach her best again following the injury and therefore the decision was made to retire her.
Spellbound was Purdon’s first winner after he made the move from New Zealand and started training here in Victoria early last year.
After a string of Group 1 appearances, the daughter of Art Major finally broke through at the elite level when winning the Ladyship Cup for regular reinsman Stuart McDonald at Melton in February.
In all, she won 14 (nine here in Australia) of 46 career starts for $382,155 in prizemoney.
