Top mare retired

Group 1 winning Art Major mare Spellbound has been retired from her harness racing duties on track.

The five-year-old will now embark on her career in the breeding barn according to trainer Nathan Purdon.

“Unfortunately we have had to retire Spellbound,” Purdon said on Twitter.

“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 track.”

When Purdon decided to make the move from New Zealand to Australia last year, Spellbound was his first winner after relocating.

Since racing in Purdon’s care, Spellbound won nine races with her last victory in the Group 1 Ladyship Cup at Melton her biggest success in Australia.

SPELLBOUND LADYSHIP CUP REPLAY

Spellbound was set to contest The Race in NZ but was scratched from the slot feature following a paddock accident.

The mare returned to Australia but faced more problems.

Spellbound retires with a record of 14 wins and 17 placings in 46 starts and earnings of $382,155 plus a personal best winning rate of 1:50.1.

by Amanda Rando, for Harnesslink