Millionaire horse who ‘loves a fight’ returns from brink of death to race for Aidan O’Brien
A MILLIONAIRE horse who ‘loves a fight’ won the scrap of his life to survive and race again for Aidan O’Brien.
Superstar stayer Kyprios sparked fears he might not survive after getting an infection in his joint.
The amazing chestnut was a perfect six from six last year and stole Stradivarius’ crown as the dominant horse over longer distances.
A four-time Group 1 winner, Kypris won at Ascot, Goodwood and the Curragh before his astonishing win at Longchamp on Arc weekend.
His winning distance of 20 lengths doesn’t tell the whole story as Kyprios hung wildly left at the end, veering right the way across the track.
He gave rivals every chance to catch up but still they couldn’t get anywhere near him.
The £144,000 first-place prize took the five-year-old’s earnings to well over £1million.
But his career and life hung in the balance after a nasty infection wiped him out completely.
He now looks set to run in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh on Sunday after making a full recovery and is 5-2 fav with the bookies.
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But Ballydoyle chief O’Brien told World Horse Racing just how serious the issue was.
He said: “We thought at one stage he might not live, then another stage he would never race again.
“He got an injection in his joint from the joint capsule and that had to be flushed out, then his pastern became unstable.
“Because of all that he went through a very tough time.
“It was incredible to get him back but he’s very happy.
“He is delighted to be back in training he’s an incredible horse
“He’s a unique horse and obviously has a great resolve to be where he is today after going through what he went through.”
A return to the Prix Du Cadran at Longchamp in October to defend his crown looks like being Kyprios’ target after his return.
And then it could be on to Ascot for Champions Day later the month.
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