by Adam Hamilton
New Zealand and Hunter Cup winner Arden Rooney has been retired.
Another setback with a tendon injury which has plagued him for two years was enough for owner Merv Butterworth to retire the great stayer.
“After two years of operations, intensive rehabilitation and TLC, we came to the realisation that once we got him 99 per cent, he may have injured his tendon again,” Butterworth said.
“The top horses like ‘Rooney’ over-exert themselves hence their injuries and short life on the track.
“He is now in retirement as a fully fit $1 million-plus stake-earner and winner of many Cups in NZ and Australia.
“He is at home where he will be loved and well cared for.”
Arden Rooney, who started his career with the All Stars’ in NZ before switching to Kerryn Manning, raced 50 times for 21 wins, 15 placings and earnings of $1,070,230.
He won the 2015 Hunter Cup and the NZ Cup on November 10 of the same year.
Arden Rooney hasn’t raced since a 10th in the NZ free-for-all just three days after his NZ Cup win.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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