In a shock development, star former Cape based 4yo filly Cold As Ice has run her last race. The Avontuur-bred daughter Of Western Winter did a tendon in the All Weather Championships at Lingfield on Friday.
Cold As Ice
Ridgemont Stud spokesman Craig Carey confirmed in a telephone interview with the Sporting Post that Cold As Ice had been injured.
“She was an outstanding race filly and the owners are naturally bitterly disappointed. But these things happen in racing and a decision will be made on her future once she has recuperated at the National Stud,” said Carey.
Cold As Ice was a leading 3yo of her year when raced out of the Joey Ramsden yard for Kathy Finch and Belinda Kieswetter and is best remembered as a gallant and desperately unlucky loser of the Gr1 Majorca Stakes on Met Day 2015.
She won five of seven starts in SA, including the Gr2 Choice Carriers Championship and the Gr2 Sceptre Stakes before being exported to race out of the William Haggas yard in the UK.
Cold As Ice had four starts overseas, winning once and being placed twice.
Despite racing from a wide draw, she was fancied to go close to winning on Friday.
She showed excellent pace and was challenging strongly in the straight when abruptly shortening her stride. She finished fifth – but the damage had been done.
While a top-notch sprinter, there was plenty of debate as to her best trip and many felt it was sheer brilliance and her heart of a lion that carried her at a mile.
Cold As Ice was purchased on the 2013 Cape Premier Yearling Sale Book 1 for R875 000. She is by Western Winter out of the lightning fast seven time winning National Assembly mare, Viva.
Breeder Avontuur’s Pippa Mickleburgh, who has followed Cold As Ice’s career with fervour, said that her heart went out to the owners.
“Freak accidents can happen and the whole Avontuur team are shattered by this terrible news. She has made us all so proud and we know she will be well looked after and receive the very best treatment possible,” she said.
