Cup champion bows out after long retirement

MELBOURNE CUP winner Just A Dash was buried standing up and facing the sun after dying at Willow Dene Stud near Wollongong on Friday night.

By InvestSMART · 4 Nov 2012

By InvestSMART ·
4 Nov 2012

Comments

MELBOURNE CUP winner Just A Dash was buried standing up and facing the sun after dying at Willow Dene Stud near Wollongong on Friday night.

Just A Dash, Lloyd Williams's first Cup winner, was trained by Tommy Smith to win the race that stops the nation in 1981.

"He was a great old horse, which was very dear to the Williams family," Williams said. "He went on to be a police horse after winning the Cup but that didn't work out and a lady offered to look after him in Wollongong.

"He has had a great life and it is sad to hear that [he has died] a couple of days out from the Melbourne Cup."

Williams has added two Melbourne Cups since Just A Dash - What A Nuisance and Efficient. He will have Green Moon and Mourayan running on Tuesday.

Just A Dash was the oldest living Melbourne Cup winner at 35 years old when he was put down.

In the end it was an easy decision for Willow Dene master Stephen Hill.

"He had been having problems with a hind leg for a while and had trouble getting back up," Hill said. "He went down on Friday morning and we had to flip him over to get him back up and we decided that it was better to put him down now than to find him in the paddock suffering."

Just A Dash had been looking after yearling colts for the 25 years he spent at Willow Dene Stud. "He really loved that role and I think it kept him young," Hill said.

"To get to 35 years old for any horse is remarkable. We buried him this morning standing up and he will have his own headstone in time to mark his time spent here."

Go to Google News, then click "Follow" button to add us.

Share this article and show your support

Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What happened to Melbourne Cup winner Just A Dash?

Just A Dash died at Willow Dene Stud near Wollongong after developing problems with a hind leg and having difficulty getting back up. The caretakers decided to put him down to prevent further suffering.

How old was Just A Dash when the Melbourne Cup winner was put down?

Just A Dash was 35 years old, making him the oldest living Melbourne Cup winner at the time he was put down.

Where was Just A Dash buried and how was the Melbourne Cup winner commemorated?

Just A Dash was buried standing up and facing the sun at Willow Dene Stud. The stud's master, Stephen Hill, said he will have his own headstone in time to mark his years there.

Who owned and trained Melbourne Cup winner Just A Dash?

Just A Dash was the first Melbourne Cup winner for owner Lloyd Williams and was trained to victory by champion trainer Tommy Smith in 1981.

What role did Just A Dash play at Willow Dene Stud after his racing career?

After racing, Just A Dash spent 25 years at Willow Dene Stud looking after yearling colts — a role his caretakers say he loved and which helped keep him active in retirement.

Why did Willow Dene Stud decide to put Just A Dash down rather than leave him in the paddock?

Caretakers noticed he had been having hind leg problems and had trouble getting back up. After he went down and had to be flipped over to stand, they decided it was kinder to put him down than risk him suffering in the paddock.

What did owner Lloyd Williams say about the Melbourne Cup winner Just A Dash?

Lloyd Williams described Just A Dash as 'a great old horse, which was very dear to the Williams family.' He noted the horse had a great life and that it was sad he died just days before the Melbourne Cup.

Does the article mention other Melbourne Cup winners or horses connected to Lloyd Williams?

Yes. The article notes Lloyd Williams went on to add two more Melbourne Cups with What A Nuisance and Efficient, and that he would have Green Moon and Mourayan running on Tuesday.