Fractured pelvis ends racing career of star mare Maria's Benefit

Stuart Edmunds was still reeling on Saturday from the "kick in the belly" of being forced to retire his stable's star mare Maria's Benefit due to injury.

Owned by Paul Wells, the smart seven-year-old has done a lot to put Edmunds' Buckinghamshire yard on the map, rattling up a five-timer over hurdles in 2017-18, including two black type contests, then landing both her completed starts over fences last season.

Maria's Benefit suffered an injury which curtailed last season for her, and she sustained another setback while being prepared for her 2019-20 campaign meaning she will now go to stud.

"It's a bit of a kick in the belly but she's in one bit and she'll be fine," the trainer said. "Her welfare is paramount and she owes us nothing.

"She was going up the gallops, as always my daughter was riding her and she felt she wasn't quite right so she pulled her up. Maria's Benefit has been down for a bone scan and they found a tiny little fracture of her pelvis.

"With the time that she'd have to be off and this probably being her last season anyway we've decided with the owner that she's going to go to stud. She's going to go to the Elms Stud and they'll try to find her a nice husband."

Maria's Benefit's 2018-19 season had been curtailed by an injury picked up when she unseated regular rider Ciaran Gethings in a Grade 2 novice chase at Kempton last December.

"We couldn't see the incident because it was so foggy but Ciaran said she was absolutely cantering and they were good horses in there," Edmunds recalled.

"She's been fantastic for us and she definitely raised the profile of the yard. I'll particularly remember her Grade 2 win at Doncaster, where she was very gutsy as she did a bit too much in front but when Irish Roe came to her she showed guts and determination as well as speed.

"Some horses have got a lot of talent and some have guts and she had both, which made her very special."

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