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‘It’s been a great ride’: Stable favourite retired

For the connections of Balf’s Choice, last weekend’s hit-and-run visit by superstar Willie Pike was a coincidental – and timely – reminder of their horse’s feats.

The Ryan Balfour Racing stable’s favourite horse has been retired after a long and successful career, which included a famous Balaklava Cup win, piloted by the Wizard from the West.

“In the cup, ‘Pikey’ summed up how the track was playing, took him forward and it was awesome,” Balfour said.

“It’s an iconic race and that was a special moment, in front of a full crowd. I’ll never forget it.”

Balf’s Choice has provided Balfour with some of the highlights of his career, but the horse’s connection to the trainer’s late father, David, helps set him apart.

“He’s named after Dad,” Balfour said.

“It was the first year Dad couldn’t go to the sales, so I picked out the horses that year, under some guidance and looking at pedigrees from Dad.

“He was a Written Tycoon for $20,000 and he was bred by friends, so that also gave us some incentive to have a good look at him.

“When it came to naming him a few of the lads said to my dad, ‘What’s your pick, Balf?’ and he said ‘Balf’s Choice’.

“He raced in Dad’s colours.”

Balf’s Choice would go on to race 57 times for 10 wins and nine placings, amassing prizemoney of $539,000. His first start was in May 2015 and his final run was in April 2021.

His wins included the Balaklava Cup and the Seymour Cup, plus he ran in the inaugural All-Star Mile at Flemington, after SA racing fans voted him into the field.

“It’s been a great ride,” Balfour said.

“The Seymour Cup was great, but then on Melbourne Cup day he ran fourth as well. Just to be tied up there next to Rekindling and some of those horses was great.

“Then the All-Star Mile. We got the top votes, with all of South Australia getting behind him.

“He came ninth, beaten less than four lengths, and he actually ran super. He finished just off Happy Clapper and Alizee. That was a great experience.

“So he’s taken us on a real journey.”

A difficult part of that journey occurred in late 2019, when Balf’s Choice almost died.

“After the All-Star Mile he came back here, to SA, and won a race, but around Christmas time, one Sunday morning, he got colic,” Balfour recalled.

“It was HorseMed SA at Morphettville that saved his life. It was a huge operation and it was a credit to them.”

Balf’s Choice made what Balfour described as “a long, slow recovery”, before his latest – and final campaign – that saw him race four times.

“He’s retiring safe and sound, and that’s important to us,” Balfour said.

“He ran great first up at Murray Bridge, then his next runs he didn’t have that zest. I thought the time had come and we all agreed

“He’ll go off to have a great life and do a bit of equestrian as well.

“For the staff and anyone who’s had anything to do with him, we’ll organise a bit of a Balf’s Choice day. It’s probably better that we didn’t do it when he was walking off onto the float to go to his new home, because it would’ve been pretty emotional.

“Around the stables, he’s the kind of horse that when you walk in, his head’s always over the door, wanting a pat. You touch his bottom lip and he sticks his tongue out.

“He’s just a special horse. A quiet horse and a gentle giant.

“He’ll be missed around the stables but he’s only retired close by to us, and we’re really looking to maybe going watching him one day on a Sunday at a dressage show or something like that.”

IMAGE: Balf's Choice taking out the 2017 Balaklava Cup, ridden by Willie Pike.

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