NEWS
Global Hunter released from hospital
Posted: Wednesday, October 20, 2010 4:51 PM
GLOBAL HUNTER
Benoit & Associates photo
by Denise Steffanus
Global Hunter (Arg), who sustained a life-threatening breakdown in the American Handicap (G2) at Hollywood Park on July 4, is expected to be released from Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in Los Olivos, California this week.
The seven-year-old Jade Hunter horse, who broke down moments after winning the race, was thought to have less than a 1% chance of survival.
During a three-hour surgery on July 5 to repair midline fractures of both sesamoids and a dislocated fetlock in his right foreleg, surgeons Carter Judy, D.V.M., and Doug Herthel, D.V.M., used 17 screws, two wires, and a special locking plate to repair the damage, fuse the fetlock, and stabilize the horse's suspensory apparatus.
"It's remarkable," co-owner Shawn Turner said of Global Hunter's recovery. "I remember that drive home [from Hollywood], and there was a very minute chance he would survive, and I was preparing myself for the worst. But to be here right now … if any horse deserves it, this guy really, really does. He just has so much spirit."
Herthel said, "His recovery has been excellent, and he is walking extremely well. His latest post-operative X-rays show good bone healing. Global Hunter has been an excellent patient and has taken care of himself well."
On October 19, Herthel prepared Global Hunter for his transition to life at nearby Magali Farms in Santa Ynez by having a special shoe applied to his foot, Turner said. As soon as the horse is comfortable in the new shoe, he will be moved to the farm, where he will be hand walked and closely monitored as he continues to recover.
Herthel said Global Hunter eventually will be able to be turned out, and he expects him to stand the 2011 breeding season.
Although Turner and co-owner Monty Pyle have not finalized stud plans for the seven-year-old out of Group 1 winner Griffe de Paris (Brz), Turner said they are contemplating standing the horse at Magali early in the 2011 season and then relocating him to Argentina midyear for the South American breeding season.
"Even before the incident happened, we always felt that sending Global Hunter to his homeland of Argentina would give him the best group of broodmares, and we've had interest from three or four entities down there," Turner said. "Most likely, he'll be in Argentina. Magali Farms has asked if they can stand him to try to attract a few mares in January and February, and that's probable, too. But the horse's health is very important, and we want to see how he acclimates."
Tom Hudson, general manager of Magali, expects a steady stream of fans will visit the horse at the farm. While at Alamo Pintado, Global Hunter received a deluge of get-well wishes, and the horse achieved celebrity status with his own following on Facebook.
"If people come to see him, they'll want to breed to him, because he's just that kind of horse that you go 'Wow' when you see him," Hudson said. "And he has the heart of a lion. … A lot of horses wouldn't have come through what he's gone through."
Turner said, "I took my kids to see Secretariat over the weekend and when we were driving back home, my daughter said, ‘Dad, I really liked Secretariat, but I think Global Hunter's story is even better.’ "
For more on Global Hunter, click here.
Denise Steffanus is a contributing editor of Thoroughbred Times who writes frequently on veterinary and farm management topics
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Chris, Salem, NH on November 21, 2010 at 03:39 PM
Excellent news! I'm so happy for this magnificent horse and his connections who never gave up on him. Here's wishing them all continued success!
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Posted by: Ida, Candler, NC on October 26, 2010 at 07:20 PM
Thank you God for giving us Global Hunter back. May this sweet boy have a long healthy and sound life where ever he goes. Good Luck to you Global Hunter!!!
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