The future racing career of smart Australian sprinter Winning Rupert (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) lies in doubt after trainer Bjorn Baker revealed to Racing.com that the 3-year-old's owners are considering a stud deal.
Winning Rupert suffered his first loss in the Jan. 14 Magic Millions 3YO Guineas, finishing fourth. The chestnut underwent surgery thereafter to remove a bone chip in his left front knee detected after he emerged lame from that race. The operation means Winning Rupert will be out of action for three months, thus missing the autumn carnival. Baker told Racing.com the colt's ownership were considering accepting a stud deal that would see the colt stand in 2017.
“From a training point of view, if he is retired it would be gutting as he is the fastest horse I've ever put a saddle on and I truly believe he could have gone to the next level in the spring,” Baker told the site. “But we'll just see what comes with it.”
Winning Rupert won twice at two, including Doomben's G2 Champagne S., and was the open-lengths winner of three outings in Queensland in December, including the G3 BRC Vo Rogue Plate at Eagle Farm on New Year's Eve.
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