Heartbreaking Blow for Equestrian Community as Lunar Flare Forced Into Retirement Due to Injury

Since the equestrian disciplines involve animals, the possibility of an injury is the highest. The injuries are not just limited to the jockeys, but the equines as well. While some bruises can be fatal, some can be career-ending. Along similar lines, a day ago, a popular racing event led to the abrupt retirement of a legendary horse.

The 8-year-old talented racehorse Lunar Flare, trained by Grahame Begg, finished a disheartening fourth last Friday. While he galloped at the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m), he faced an unfortunate injury. Besides his immediate retirement news, another update devastated the horse racing world.

Equestrian world witnessed Lunar Flare getting ruled out

One of the world’s richest turf races and the most premium ‘two-mile’ handicap Melbourne Cup will take place on November 7, 2023. Several trainers consider it to be the biggest race of their careers, which also stays applicable to the equines. Begg had also thought the same until something uncalled for spilled water on his dreams.

Earlier today, Begg took to his social media to announce the news. He wrote, “Regrettably, Lunar Flare has been ruled out of the Melbourne Cup after suffering a career-ending injury after last night’s race and she will be retired immediately.” Despite his fourth finish, Flare had a fair $17 chance of making it big this time. The reason behind it is his May win at the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington.

Moreover, this is not the first time Begg received a blow. Last week, after the vets called Nonconformist lame from pre-examination results, Begg ruled him out from the Group 1 Caulfield Cup. On the other hand, this is not the first rule out in Lunar Flare’s career.

More about Flare’s career

Last year, Flare’s fate faced a similar turn of events. Ahead of the Melbourne Cup in November, RV vets examined him, only to declare that he was lame. As a result, the authorities restricted him from earning the Australian accolade. The star mare had won the 2021 Moonee Valley Cup and the 2022 Group 3 Bart Cummings (2500m), the most remarkable wins of his equine career.

While expressing his grief, Begg wrote, “She has been a very much loved part of our stable for the last 4 years & we are devastated for her amazing owners.” When he said, “It was easy to miss the Caulfield Cup, we made a call, she’s going to Moonee Valley Friday night,” little did he know what lay in the future.

READ MORE: Popular Equestrian Turf Runner Red Knight Retires After Securing First Grade 1 Win at Age 9

Like Luna Flare, several equines fall victim to premature deaths and fatal injuries while racing. Since the equine-equestrian bond holds a special place in history, fans await their favorite duos on the racetracks. But some incidents leave permanent marks.

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