Tragedy strikes Noah From Goa in Singapore

Tragedy struck in yesterday’s Singapore Gold Cup at Kranji racecourse when 2015 Dingaans and Cape Guineas winner Noah From Goa broke down in the finishing straight and had to be euthanased.

The Kranji stipes report reads: “Approaching the 300m, NOAH FROM GOA broke down and dislodged its rider. PREDITOR, BLUE SWEDE and SKY ROCKET, which were all following, were inconvenienced as a result. Jockey Juglall was subsequently examined by the Course Medical Officer and was declared unfit to ride. The Veterinary Surgeon reported that NOAH FROM GOA had an open condylar fracture and was subsequently humanely euthanised.”

Dianne de Kock, wife of Mike de Kock, who trained Noah From Goa in South Africa, posted a tribute on Twitter: “The earth would be nothing without the people, but the man would be nothing without the horse. This is a sad day that we had to say goodbye to our Noah from Goa. I loved you from the day I broke you in. Fly high in the sky boy.”

The son of Tiger Ridge, bred by his owner Mary Slack, was trained in Singapore by Ricardo la Grange and his regular rider was Nooresh Juglall, well known to South African racegoers.

As for the race itself, trainer Mark Walker and jockey Benny Woodworth teamed up to claim their first Singapore Gold Cup, courtesy of Elite Invincible.

The Irish-bred four-year-old by Archarcharch overcame an interrupted preparation (due to a fever) for the $1.35-million Group 1 race over 2000m, putting in a bold onpace run that saw him stave off a gallant Circuit Land by a head.