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SOUTH AFRICA: Sad End For Val De Ra

Triple G1 winner Val De Ra has been retired after suffering a bleeding attack in the G1 Computaform Sprint at Turffontein on Saturday.

South Africa's best sprinter, beaten only once in 12 prior starts, bled according to vet reports and her owners decided that she will now be sent to stud in the UK..

General Manager of Avontuur Estate Pippa Mickleburgh said: "She bled and so the run was not her. She will rest up and prepare for export at the end of May en route to the UK."

Mickleburgh said future stud plans beyond travelling overseas had not been resolved for Val De Ra.

"She is a champion and needs to be remembered for three Group One wins against the best in the land," she said.

"In a nutshell we at Avontuur will be eternally grateful for what she has done for the farm."

The Computaform Sprint was won by the Geoff Woodruff-trained Shea Shea by more than two lengths in a stunning performance to lead from the start of the 1000m dash.

Winning jockey Piere Strydom said Woodruff had told him not to concern himself with the runners and just go flat out from the start.

“He came out like a rocket, but I was surprised to find myself still in front after 100m,” said Strydom.

“He just kept going, and to finish in 56-something seconds is just phenomenal.”

Woodruff said the decision to geld Shea Shea after last year's scintillating win in the Golden Horse Sprint at Scottsville had made him a better horse.

The trainer said Scottsville would probably be on the agenda again unless the opportunity opens up for an overseas campaign.


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