Captain’s Ransom departs the race track for the last time after finishing second in Saturday’s Grade 3 SplashOut Prix du Cap (Candiese Lenferna).   

There are a few examples of famous racehorses who have compromised their  legendary status by being kept on for too long, with Citation being the most obvious overseas example and MIlesia Pride perhaps being a good South African example.

Hats off therefore to trainer Justin Snaith and owners Suzette and Basie Viljoen, who have decided to retire her on the first sign of a wane in form.

On the other hand it might have always been the plan to retire her at this point whether she had won her last three starts or not.

She has very little left to prove as the winner of six Grade 1 races from 1200m up to 1800m.

The announcement appeared on the Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s facebook page, accompanying a picture of her trotting back to the parade ring on Saturday, and stated: