ADELAIDE CUP WIN OVERSHADOWED BY TRAGEDY

Emerging stayer King Of Leogrance provided multiple Group I winning trainer Danny O’Brien a second Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville on Monday — but sadly it was a day he would rather forget.

Fewer than 10 hours before claiming the 150th edition of the two-mile feature, O’Brien’s stable was left shattered when a staff member was tragically killed in an incident at Thirteenth Beach near Barwon Heads in southern Victoria. The track rider was struck by a vehicle when riding a horse across a road and died at the scene. The driver of the vehicle and the horse sustained minor injuries.

“It’s with a heavy heart and with tremendous grief that we confirm an incident that claimed the life of one of our staff this morning,” O’Brien said. “Our thoughts, prayers and support are with the family of our friend and colleague and all of our team. We are completely heartbroken.

“We have had some tough days in this industry but they are nothing compared to the heartbreak and sadness of today. We ask that the privacy of our staff to be respected as they come to terms with today’s tragedy.”

O’Brien immediately cancelled his plans to travel to Adelaide, to comfort his 35 staff members, with assistant trainer Ben Gleeson paying tribute to the stable’s ability to still get the job done under such difficult circumstances. King Of Leogrance gave the stable their second win at Monday’s Adelaide Cup meeting after War Tiger won the opening race of the day, while the stable also saddled Ballarat winner Serengeti and photo finish runner-up Naivasha.

“It’s a very tough day for the whole stable,” O’Brien’s representative Ben Gleeson told racing.com.

“It’s been devastating.

“They have been amazing to turn up today here and at Ballarat and send out winners. Full credit to them.

“We’re hurting, but we really appreciate everyone’s support today.”

It was an arrogant performance by the Cup favourite, who was kept out of trouble by jockey Damian Lane three wide, but with cover on the back of Heart Of Grace, cruising into the race on the turn before scoring a dominant 2.3-length win.

While thrilled to win, part-owner Nick Williams was quick to pay tribute to the O’Brien staff who got the job done under such difficult circumstances.

“I think this really goes out to all the staff at Danny O’Brien’s; hopefully it cheers them up,’’ Williams said.

While impossible to overlook the tragedy from earlier in the day, the rise of King Of Leogrance and return to the top of O’Brien has been stunning, having successfully battled for three years to clear his name after he was engulfed in racing’s cobalt saga.

Originally suspended for four years, O’Brien fought his case and was eventually fined just $8000. And his return to the top saw him claim last year’s Melbourne Cup with Vow And Declare. 

Story by Lincoln Moore for The Australian

Pic by AAP