source: pixabay.comOne of New Zealand’s greatest horseracing legends Te Akau Shark is dead.
Owners Te Akau Racing confirmed in a statement on Thursday morning the gelding’s following a series of health complications.
On a sad day for New Zealand racing, ‘The Shark’ as he was affectionately known was humanely put down after complications from a rare eye condition picked up at the 2020 Sydney autumn carnival. The horse who died aged six, who only raced 14 times, underwent surgery for the issue last year and was retired in December but failed to recover.
Te Akau Racing said in an emotional statement:
“It is with immense pain and sadness that we announce that our beloved Te Akau Shark has lost his brave health battle,”
“A true warrior, Darryl your heart and courage, your determination and kindness, lit up the lives of everyone privileged to know you – as well as those who admired you from afar.
“You made us laugh, you made us proud, you brought so much joy – we fell in love with you over and over again, every single day with your quirky personality. Your owners, our team, the racing world.
“You changed lives and left your indelible hoof prints stamped all over our hearts. Our grief has no words.
“Rest in peace our beautiful boy at Te Akau Stud, forever to gallop across our vast, green pastures.
“We are shattered by your loss and will be eternally grateful to have had you, our great red giant, in our lives.
“You will be with us always, and forever.”
"The Shark's coming for the kill."
Kiwi star Te Akau Shark ?claimed his Australian Group 1 in February's Chipping Norton Stakes at @royalrandwick. Unfortunately Darryl, 'the Shark', has been retired by @TeAkauRacing after 14 starts. @tabcomau @7horseracing pic.twitter.com/L12f78szXu
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) December 21, 2020
The gun son of Rip Van Winkle Te Akau Shark had a brief but brilliant career, assuming cult status amongst horse racing fans in Australia and New Zealand.
Te Akau Shark was a seven-time winner in a 14-race career blighted by injuries and amassed more than $1.5 million in prize money. Trained by Jamie Richards, the galloper also finished third to Lys Gracieux in the 2019 Cox Plate (2040m).
