Vega One’s racing career in doubt after post-surgery infection

The racing career of Group 1 winner Vega One is in doubt after he almost died following a complication with surgery to fix an injury sustained during his gallant second behind Tofane in the Stradbroke Handicap last month.

Trainer Tony Gollan confirmed his Kingsford-Smith Cup winner is recovering from a nasty infection which came after surgery to fix damage caused to his leg when he was galloped on in the early part of the Stradbroke.

Such was the damage caused by the infection, Gollan said there were doubts whether Vega One would even survive.

“They did everything they can and the basic way to treat it was coming along really well then it took a turn for the worse, and then from there the next week was pretty ordinary to the point where we didn’t know if he would make it,” Gollan said.

“Now it looks as if he will make it but we’re not sure if he will race, we just need to let everything settle down and see how it works out in a few months time.”

Tony Gollan celebrating Vega One’s win in the Kingsford-Smith Cup with jockey Jamie Kah. Picture: Trackside PhotographySource:Supplied

Gollan’s focus is now on getting Vega One back to full health before making a decision on his racing career, which he concedes could be 12 months away.

The rising six-year-old was in the form of his life during the winter carnival and provided one of the highlights when star jockey Jamie Kah snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in the Kingsford-Smith Cup.

“It has been pretty hard to take,” Gollan said.

“These things happen but and he has been in good hands the whole time.

“He left Eagle Farm straight away for the clinic and it was coming along quite OK and then an infection took hold and has made life pretty tricky.

“He has had a couple of surgeries since then. He is OK now but it was a nasty little infection that happened where the galloped-on happened and it has made life hard for him.”

Originally published asVega One’s career in doubt after post-surgery infection

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