Without A Fight, the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained elite class stayer will miss the autumn racing season due to a tendon injury. The seven-year-old gelding won the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup double this year and was expected to be a top pick for punters for the upcoming autumn carnival. However, the Freedmans decided to prioritize the well-being of the champion and focus on the 2024 spring season instead.
The Welfare of the Horse Was Always a Priority
In a statement Freedman Racing issued on Friday, they confirmed reports that Without A Fight was out with injury and would “require a period of rehabilitation” that would prevent the horse from participating in any races “in the autumn of next year.” The Freedmans went on to say that they always put the well-being of their horses ahead of everything else and the welfare of Without A Fight was “the absolute priority.”
Even though Sam and Anthony Freedman decided to rehabilitate the horse instead of racing him, they acknowledged they were disappointed with the development, especially as Without A Fight was enjoying an excellent season. They would now try to provide the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup champion with the best possible treatment to ensure a full recovery and a successful return to racing in the spring of 2024.
The owner of Without A Fight, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid al Maktoum, is reportedly very disappointed with the injury too but is on the same page with the trainers and will ensure the premier stayer gets the rehabilitation a Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup champion deserves.
