Western Empire Provides Peters with Solace

Among Australia’s leading owner-breeders, Bob and Sandra Peters have, in recent years, transcended their Western Australia-centric profile to become national leviathans of the thoroughbred landscape, their tentacles striking seemingly at will across the eastern seaboard. But even they are resigned to the vagaries of the sport, having to accept the inevitable good with the bad. On Saturday, despite another promising drubbing of his opposition by Gr2 WA Derby-bound 3YO gelding Western Empire (Iffraaj-Western Jewel, by Jeune) in the Listed J.C. Roberts Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, the Peters lost one of their best gallopers. According to thewest.com.au, still untapped Gr1-winning 5YO gelding Truly Great (Dundeel-Truly Special, by Jeune) was discovered dead in his paddock on Saturday morning, adding misery to his owners who were already having to deal with the race day scratching on veterinary advice of $5 million All-Star favourite Arcadia Queen (Pierro-Arcadia, by Redoute’s Choice). Golf may be the great sporting leveller, however breeding and racing thoroughbreds can’t be far behind.