In dramatic fashion, four-time British Columbia Horse of the Year INFINITE PATIENCE (Sungold) won the final start of her career, the $100,000 Ballerina Stakes at Hastings Racecourse on October 5, after a gritty battle. The seven-year-old mare, owned by Edmonton Oilers star Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and William DeCoursey, was winning the Ballerina for the third straight year.
Randy Goulding of The Province recapped the race and trainer Barbara Heads’ reaction:
Heads became a little emotional when talking about how Infinite Patience closed out her career with a thrilling victory over Bunny in the Ballerina. Despite breaking a step slow under Antonio Reyes, the only jockey to ride her at Hastings, Infinite Patience recovered quickly and dueled with Air Force through honest early fractions in the 1 1/8-mile race.
After disposing of Air Force, Infinite Patience was immediately collared by Bunny at the top of the stretch. Bunny got her head in front approaching the wire, but like a true champion, Infinite Patience battled back and wouldn’t be denied.
“I became very religious coming down the lane,” said Heads. “I just did not want to see her go out getting beat by a nose. It would not seem appropriate. When she broke bad, I just thought it wasn’t meant to be. Knowing it was her last race and considering everything she has accomplished and overcame; it was a special moment.”
Infinite Patience retired with a 22-2-2 record from 32 starts for earnings of $928,700. By a nose she ended up second to Spaghetti Mouse, who is the all-time BC-bred leading money winner with $929,850.
INFINITE PATIENCE can be considered one of the best Canadian-bred mares in the last 50 years and certainly, one of the best British Columbia-breds to be seen since Travelling Victor.
Breeding plans have not yet been decided.
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