Star New Zealand Steeplechaser The Cossack has been retired after suffering a suspensory injury.
The Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal-trained 11-year-old was set to clash with West Coast in Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge 149th Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) at Riccarton.
The Cossack joined the stable of Paul Nelson and Corrina McDougal in 2020, and initially fashioned an enviable record over hurdles with prestige titles at Hawke’s Bay, Waikato and Wellington alongside a Grand National and two Great Northerns.
The son of Mastercraftsman finished a narrow second in the Australian Grand National Steeplechase (4500m) in 2022 and remained in the steeplechase format with success in last year’s Waikato Steeplechase and the Pakuranga Hunt Cup, with fellow star West Coast coming out on top in their Great Northern and Wellington battles.
The winner of 19 races and $690,000 in prizemoney, The Cossack won both the Waikato Steeplechase (3900m) and the Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) in his two starts over fences this term.
