Primus - Early Retirment of a Champion Race Horse.

The John O’Shea-trained Primus has been retired after an injury halted his preparation prior to the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) just over a fortnight ago.

The four-year-old son of champion sire Flying Spur has a promising stallion career ahead of him and the decision to retire will allow Primus to debut at a yet to be named stud later this year.
The group winner and three-time group one placegetter was only just working his way into race fitness at the time of the injury. O’Shea expected his charge to prove competitive in the upcoming Brisbane features including the $1 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June. “I thought that with natural improvement after racing Primus was going to prove very hard to beat in the Stradbroke,” O’Shea revealed.

“Being a four year old entire he takes a lot of work to reach an optimum level of fitness. He was nearing his peak and was working as good as ever. “He was suited to the Stradbroke and it’s a shame he won’t get the chance to sign off with a with a group one win. I’ve never had a doubt he was group one class and his record only confirms that.”

In a career conducted consistently at racing’s highest level, Primus was three times group one placed. Primus was first given a chance in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) where he was a fast finishing third to God’s Own and Paratroopers, beaten just over a length.
The bay then backed up his spring performances with a string of fine efforts during the Sydney autumn carnival.

Primus finished third in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m), beaten less than a length, before narrowly missing in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m). Despite travelling three and four wide throughout, Primus unleashed a great turn of foot to finish third, beaten a neck by a head. Clearly suited to the sprint-mile caper, O’Shea restricted Primus to such races for the remainder of his career. It proved a successful move as Primus recorded consecutive stakes wins in the Listed Show County (1200m) and the Group 3 Tramway Quality (1400m).The victories added to Primus’ Listed Ming Dynasty (1400m) win and debut salute, secured as a three year old. Primus retires with four wins and six placings from 17 career starts, amassing $524,780 in total prizemoney.