The Ken and Bev Kelso-trained Princess Kereru has been retired after finishing 11th in Saturday’s Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m).
The seven-year-old daughter of Pins finished nine-and-a-half lengths in arears of impressive winner Avantage, a far cry from her best form where she was a Group Three winner and was narrowly beaten into second in the 2019 Gr.1 Railway (1200m).
“She was going to stud this year anyway and has a booking to Almanzor,” Ken Kelso said.
“The plan was to race her and if her form warranted it to race her on in-foal. But it was a sub-par performance on Saturday, and we thought it best that she be retired now. She’s probably done enough.”
Bred and raced by Paul Humphries and his sons Kevan, Richard and Michael, Princess Kereru won seven of 30 starts, with a further 10 placings.
“It’s just unfortunate that she didn’t win the Railway, but she couldn’t have done much better, she’s Group One placed and a Group Three winner,” Kelso said.
“She’s also Group Two placed and a Listed winner. She’s been a bonny little mare and she’s done us and the owners proud. She’s a seven-year-old mare so it’s time to look for a new career.” - NZ RAcing Desk
