The impressive racing career of Melito has come to an end with connections making the decision after she pulled up awkwardly after the BTC Cup.
Melito has been retired after her last-start failure in the BTC Cup
Trainer Gerald Ryan said he had concerns even before the run as the mare didn’t quite seem at her best going into the race.
“I was a bit worried about her Saturday, I didn’t expect her to win but I thought she might have finished off a bit better,” he said.
After being put through some light exercise yesterday morning the jockey said she didn’t feel right so Ryan sent her to be examined.
“We had the vets x-ray her and they found a few problems so we decided to pull the pin,” he said.
The specific area of most concern was around the knees with the structure showing noticeable signs of wear and tear.
While the vets didn’t say she was in immediate danger, connections decided they owed it to her to not take the risk considering how much she’s given them over the years.
“She’s been terrific, it’s amazing her and More Joyous were the best two-year-old fillies in Sydney, then the best three-year-old fillies and not far off the best four-year-old mares too,” Ryan said.
In some amazing career statistics Melito has run in no less than 16 Group 1 events, that’s from just 26 overall career starts.
“She’s gave us a terrific thrill plenty of times, the owners love her and they didn’t want to see her hurt,” he said.
“My next problem will be looking to get her first foal.”
Ryan was proud of what they have achieved together at the end of her career and more than satisfied with what she has brought to the stable.
“We haven’t shied away from a fight,” he said.
“She’s had 26 starts, the first was in a Listed race and the rest have been Group races with just one more at Listed.
“Thirteen times she finished in the first five out of 16 Group 1 starts.”
She finishes with overall career statistics of 26 starts for five wins and 13 placings for a combined total of just under $2 Million in prize money.
