AT “death’s door”, in crippling pain and requiring a life-saving operation, Balf’s Choice had the fight of his life merely to survive, let alone race again.
Fast forward just eight months and trainer Ryan Balfour’s stable favourite will cap a remarkable – and unlikely – comeback by tackling top company in Saturday’s Spring Stakes at Morphettville.
The much-loved galloper was struck down by colic in mid-December, and Balfour feared the worse.
“He was probably only a 40 or 50 per cent chance of living,” the Morphettville trainer said.
“He had colic and a twisted bowel and had to have a massive, life-saving operation.
“Fortunately he made it through and his post-op care went tremendously well.”
With $525,000 in prizemoney and two Listed races on his CV, Balf’s Choice’s popularity was underlined by his appearance at Flemington in last year’s $5 million All-Star Mile field, decided by public vote.
Balfour says the stable was grateful Balf’s Choice survived the colic attack, and that racing was far from their mind during the ordeal.
“He’s the heart and soul of the stable,” he said.
“He loves people, loves being in the stable and he’s always got his head over the gate, wanting a pat.
“He’s got so much character… he’s got an older gentleman personality.
“Fortunately, Morphettville Equine Clinic did a great job with him and his operation – he came through it so well and bounced back.”
Once the operation hurdle was cleared and Balf’s Choice’s life was saved, the stable gave him four months off.
“Just with the view that if he excelled through that we would maybe look to bring him back,” Balfour said.
“And he thrived, so we brought him back in the stables and did a lot of slow work with him, just taking it step by step.”
Finally, 11 months after his latest race start, Balf’s Choice stepped out in a trial at Balaklava on June 30 – and those associated with the horse crossed their fingers.
“We hadn’t really asked anything of him until (then)…but he was fantastic,” Balfour said.
“I think being able to go to Balaklava, somewhere totally different – even though last time there he won the cup – got him up and about, and got him really bouncing around pre-trial.
“More importantly he pulled up well.”
Two more trials have since followed, leading into Balf’s Choice’s return to racing in Saturday’s Group 3 feature.
“If he’d come back without showing that competitiveness, I think we’d just retire him – we’ve already got a home lined up for him,” Balfour said.
“It’s important to us that he’s enjoying it. He’s been looked after and he’s looked after us.”
Despite the understandable caution, Balfour described getting the horse back to the races as “a real buzz”.
“And it would be something special if he got back to that winning level,” he said.
The $120,000 Spring Stakes is race seven on Saturday’s Morphettville card.
