Chagemar retired

Press, 14 May 1985, Page 32

Chagemar retired

NZPA-AAP Melbourne

The runner-up in last year’s Melbourne Cup, Chagemar, has gone blind in one eye and will be retired to a paddock. After a long spell to prepare for this year’s $1 million Foster’s Melbourne Cup, Chagemar was reportedly found blind in one eye after a float trip back to his Caulfield stables three weeks ago. His trainer, Geoff Murphy, sent Chagemar to Werribee for other opinions after the horse was found to be blind in his near side eye. Murphy said Chagemar’s optic nerve had been severely damaged and the sight could not be restored.

Chagemar will spend the rest of his life in a paddock at Jim Armstrong’s Nagambie property. Murphy thought Chagemar would have had a great chance in this year’s Fosters’ Melbourne Cup. “He ran second last year and he had only four runs leading up to the race. He was only half fit and he would have been a great chance this year,” said Murphy. One-eyed racehorses were allowed to race on country courses in New South Wales until about three years ago, when the rules were changed. They are now barred from racing in all Australian states.