Ouija Board misses farewell run

12 April 2012

Ouija Board has been ruled out of the Hong Kong Vase and retired by her owner Lord Derby hours after a problem was detected on the mare's near-fore.

The five-year-old, a hot favourite for the Group 1 Vase on Sunday, was found to be sore when undergoing a routine examination by a HKJC vet and was officially scratched from the race at 4pm local time by her trainer Ed Dunlop.

Dunlop said: "It is a very very sad end to her career and an emotional day for everyone who have put in a huge team effort."

"This morning (Saturday), much to our surprise, the mare wasn't quite right. We x-rayed the leg and the damage was unremarkable, but she has jarred herself either on the dirt or the grass and we decided that enough was enough," he added.

"I was with the owner Lord Derby, my own vet and the Hong Kong vets and we all agreed it was the right decision."

The Newmarket trainer gave Ouija Board some light exercise but said: "She had a canter but she was still slightly sore and there was a risk of further damaging her if we'd run.

"It is the same front splint that she injured two years ago in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at (Roayl Ascot at) York."

Dunlop suggested Britain's favourite racehorse will be shipped home rather than head to Kentucky, where she was set to be covered at Lane's End Farm.

He went on: "I'm not entirely sure where she'll be shipped but there's a good chance we shall bring her back to Britain where we can monitor the injury."

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