KEY POINTS:
The emotions of Xcellent breaking down almost became too much for jockey Michael Coleman to continue riding at Trentham on Saturday.
Coleman quickly dismounted from Xcellent after riding him to win the Trentham Stakes.
Coleman was due to ride third favourite Irlanda in the next event, New Zealand's richest 1200m race, the group one $250,000 Telegraph Handicap, but initially did not feel up to it.
He had ridden Xcellent in all but one of his 13 starts and became quite upset when explaining to stipendiary stewards the circumstances surrounding the horse's injury.
The horse's Waikato co-trainer Paul Moroney was called in to comfort Coleman.
"It was really an emotional moment in the stewards' room," said Moroney.
"I probably spent five minutes alone with him. We shed a tear and consoled each other.
"I think it had been bubbling away for a while and all the emotion came out. He became very upset." However, Coleman wiped away the tears and rode Irlanda to a solid fifth in the Telegraph.
In the race after, the day's last, he showed his professionalism by guiding favourite Geordie Girl to an easy win.
- NZPA
