Ferrando’s racing days over

Ferrando has been retired Photo: Trish Dunell

The racing career of Group One performer Ferrando (NZ) (Fast ‘N’ Famous) has come to a premature end after the six-year-old entire suffered an injury during the running of the Listed Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki on Friday.

“He tore a flexor tendon,” co-trainer Graeme Rogerson said. “He won’t race again but he will be okay.”

Rogerson is now eyeing a stud career for the son of Fast ‘n’ Famous who was runner-up in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) earlier this year.

“He will be confined to his box for a month and will stand at stud somewhere,” he said. “He is a real gentleman and he didn’t deserve that to happen to him.

“We are looking after him and hopefully he will make it as a stallion. Where I’m not sure but a couple of people have rung up. Nothing is set in concrete and we will see what happens.”

Ferrando is the first foal from Captain Rio mare Rio Nugget who hails from the family of Group winners Sound Journey, Golden Heights and Samantha Miss. He closed his career with a tally of eight wins including the Gr.3 Mongolian Khan Trophy (1200m) and more than $270,000 in stakes money.

Archer Park will offer a half-sister to Ferrando by Burgundy as Lot 820 at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale in January.