KEY POINTS:
Friday night's group-one New Zealand Breeder's Stakes winner It's Ella was retired this week by her connections.
She was found to be sore after the victory, and they decided to return the mare to her Southland home for a well-earned rest and a likely career at stud.
"She has always had dodgy legs and she has battled on through it. We didn't want to ask her for any more," part-owner Megan McLellan said yesterday.
The beach training at Woodend suited It's Ella's legs during her Canterbury campaign, which commenced just seven months ago. In that time she has placed in the New Zealand Cup, Ashburton Flying Stakes, Queen of Hearts and has won two group races in succession at Addington.
A 5-year-old Washington VC mare, It's Ella retires the winner of 13 of her 42 starts and has placed 12 times for $231,722 in stakes.
- NZPA
