Death of top trotter Isolate

Oamaru harness racing trainer Phil Williamson is devastated by the unexpected death of his talented trotting filly Isolate (Father Patrick).

Isolate developed an elevated temperature after fast work early last week and seemed a little off colour.

“We got her treated and the temperature went back to normal, and we just thought it was a twenty four hour thing. The next day the temperature kept going back up and not down. Peter (vet Peter Gillespie) was coming every day for two or three days. Her temperature would stabilise and then it would go back up so he said I’d better get her down to Dunedin where he could look at her twenty four seven,” Williamson said.

Isolate was transferred to Dunedin on 23^rd November and sadly died at the clinic yesterday. The cause is still not understood. Williamson says an autopsy will be carried out.

“I don’t have a good why yet. I just want to know what happened. There was no sign of what was making her sick. It was very odd.”

From just five starts, Isolate recorded two Group Three wins with the Sires Stakes Classique at Addington in September and the Hambletonian Classic at Ashburton in October. Her winning time of 2-03.3 in the Hambletonian was a New Zealand record.

The three year old was owned by Garry Clarke.

“I feel for him. He’s invested a lot to get a good horse. He’s devastated.”

Williamson says Isolate was the best horse he’s had since Majestic Man.

“She had that X factor. She was a big overgrown horse and time was going to be her friend. Nathan (son and driver) had a massive opinion of her. He thought she could develop into the best trotter he’d driven.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink