Saddex!

[brockguy]

I had such high hopes for him this season


THE racing career of top German middle-distance performer Saddex looks to be over after an operation that will keep him out of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The five-year-old, sixth behind Dylan Thomas at Longchamp in 2007, has been quoted in some ante-post lists since being transferred earlier this month to the stable of trainerWerner Baltromei.

However, he has been suffering from an arthritic condition and a bone chip was removed from his carpal joint in an operation on Monday.

Saddex won seven of his 15 races and more than €600,000 for his former trainer Peter Rau and owners Stall Avena.

He has run only twice this year, finishing half a length second to Duke Of Marmalade in the Prix Ganay and then beating Pressing a head in the Group 1 Premio Presidente della Repubblica on May 18.

The Klauss family, which owns Stall Avena, are now looking to place the son of Sadler's Wells at stud.

As a result of Saddex's defection, the Australian-owned It's Gino is likely to be the only German runner in the Arc.

Baltromei will be trying to repeat last year's Prix du Cadran victory with Le Miracle and also runs his recent Darley Prix de la Nonette winner Lady Marian in the Prix de l'Opera.

[my miss storm cat]

Awww, that's a shame.

Happier days...

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Im...20071125P1.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muf932zm_AQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoPYjvHn6lA