Handy galloper I Am Sam retired after breathing problem
“It’s a disappointing finish to his career.
Hardy wet track galloper I Am Sam has been retired from racing.
The New Plymouth-trained Al Akbar eight-year-old won’t be seen around the tracks this winter after developing a breathing complaint when on the verge of kicking off a fresh campaign.
Trainer Bryce Revell confirmed on Tuesday that I Am Sam would not be persevered with as a racing proposition.
The winner of 11
races
and placed a on a further 11 occasions, I Am Sam won prizemoney of $256,548 for his owners and breeders Jan Wilson, of Waitotara, and Wellington woman Della Wordley.
“It’s a disappointing finish to his career, but he had a problem with his breathing caused by a slight entrapment in his windpipe,” said Revell.
“It’s nothing too serious and there is a procedure he could have had to put it right again but because of his age, his owners have decided not to race him again.”
Revell said I Am Sam had had three jumpouts early this winter and he was nearly ready to head back to the races when the problem surfaced.
I Am Sam was a genuine mudlark, with eight of his nine career victories coming on heavy tracks.
Among his wins was the 2014 listed AG Challenge Stakes (1600m) at Whanganui when beating class racemare I Do and the Listed North Island Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Trentham on two occasions.
One of I Am Sam’s more memorable successes was in a listed event for three-year-olds on his home track when crediting his rider on that occasion, Opie Bosson, with his 1000th career win.
Revell said I Am Sam was a well behaved horse and dream to train and would make an ideal pony club hack.