JOHNNY GLOBE RUNS LAST

Press, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 26886, 12 November 1952, Page 4

JOHNNY GLOBE RUNS LAST

HORSE DISTRESSED AFTER RACE

CIRCULATORY TROUBLE CAUSES FAILURE

Johnny Globe may have made his last appearance in a race in the New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington yesterday. D. G. Nyhan’s champion five-year-old stallion, a warm favourite for the race, finished a long way back in last place. He was very distressed on returning to the birdcage and was examined immediately afterwards by the club’s veterinary surgeon (Mr J. Stafford), who later issued the following certificate:— ‘‘l have been in attendance on Johnny Globe. The horse was very distressed during the race for the cup and unable to carry on. He has been injected with adrenalin, and has now recovered to a great extent, and my opinion is that he will make a complete recovery after a rest. The collapse was due to circulatory trouble. This horse must not be allowed to start again at this meeting. A clean certificate should be produced before the horse starts again in any race, either distance or otherwise.” “I knew there was something wrong at the end of 100 yards,” said Nyhan after the race. “He was racing like a tired horse. I am not much worried whether he races again or not, so long as he survives.” Nyhan said he did not know how long It would be before the horse recovered. It was not known whether the trouble would recur. "I am just hoping for the best,” he said.

Nyhan said some months ago that circulatory trouble was Inherent in Johnny Globe’s family.

Johnny Globe, usually most placid at the barrier, reared and backed out of line several times before the start of yesterday’s race. When the barrier was released he broke and lost about 48 yards. He held his place towards the rear of the field until about four furlongs from the finish, when he became so distressed that he dropped right back and was last to finish.

The son of Logan Derby and Sandfast established himself as the public favourite when he finished second to Van Dieman in the 1951 New Zealand Cup. When he put a break on the field, running to the straight it seemed he would make history by becoming the first horse of his age to win the race. Although he held on courageously, he could not withstand the winner’s run.

Johnny Globe was fast becoming the idol Harold Logan was with trotting enthusiasts a few years ago. When he was doing his preliminary at the Addington trials last Thursday he was warmly applauded each time he passed the stands. This had never happened at a trial meeting.

The sport needs a horse of his calibre and temperament to maintain interest in the major races. If he is unable to race again it is doubtful whether any other horse racing today could capture the imagination of the public to the extent Johnny Globe has.

Johnny Globe, which was bought for £5O as a yearling from the late Mr F. E. Ward, of Pahiatua, has a record which has probably never been bettered in the history .of the sport in New Zealand, in just over three seasons of racing Johnny Globe has had 43 starts for 16 wins, 20 placings, and £16,050 in stakes. He has raced with distinction against older and more experienced horses, his great courage marking all his races.