The Durban July winner from 2009, Big City Life, was tragically euthanised after the Vodacom Durban July on Saturday after running his heart out to finish only just over 2 lengths behind the winner.
The Glen Kotzen trained superstar broke his leg finishing the race and Andrew Fortune immediately got off the horse to cradle the champion who was suffering after his injury. He was quickly euthanised after the race behind a green curtain as is the norm with disposing of horses on course once injured beyond repair. Both trainer Kotzen and owner Raymond Deacon where distraught and barely coping with the news.
The scene played out in front of the capacity crowd at Greyville whilst on the other end of the emotional spectrum, Igugu, paraded in victory for the De Kock/Delpech combination.
Big City Life won four Group 1 races and eight in total. His sixth placing under a weight of 59.5kgs as an older star finishing only 2.25 lengths behind Igugu is arguably his best run considering that he ran himself to his ultimate death and all to win for his fans and stable. The hallmark of an athlete that never gives up under the most trying circumstance and on the biggest of stages. His name is Big City Life and he ran big and left us to greener pastures on day we staluted him 2 years ago on South African racing's biggest day at the home of the best racing in the land.
GRADE 1 WINS IN RED
GRADE 2 WINS IN BLUE
| Date |
Race |
Dist |
Dr |
Fin |
Wt kg |
Length |
Winning or 2nd Horse |
Time |
| 02-Jul-2011 |
VODACOM DURBAN JULY (Grade 1) |
2200 |
6 |
6 |
59.5 |
2.22 |
IGUGU (AUS) |
132.82 |
|
13-Jun-2011
|
RISING SUN GOLD CHALLENGE (Grade 1)
|
1600
|
5
|
12
|
60
|
15.75
|
DANCEWITHTHEDEVIL
|
96.89
|
|
22-May-2011
|
PINNACLE STAKES
|
1500
|
8
|
3
|
61
|
3.75
|
BRAVURA
|
88.79
|
|
03-May-2011
|
DRILL HALL STAKES (GRADE 2)
|
1400
|
7
|
10
|
60
|
5.0
|
PAST MASTER
|
84.63
|
|
12-Jun-2010
|
GOLD CHALLENGE (GRADE 1)
|
1600
|
5
|
1
|
60
|
0.25
|
BLUE TIGER
|
96.45
|
|
07-May-2010
|
DRILL HALL STAKES (GRADE 2)
|
1400
|
14
|
5
|
60
|
4.2
|
TROPICAL EMPIRE
|
82.16
|
|
30-Jan-2010
|
J&B MET (Grade 1)
|
2000
|
14
|
9
|
57.5
|
3.6
|
RIVER JETEZ
|
122.82
|
|
09-Jan-2010
|
L'ORMARINS QUEEN'S PLATE (WFA) (Grade 1)
|
1600
|
10
|
3
|
58
|
1.6
|
POCKET POWER
|
97.16
|
|
05-Dec-2009
|
PINNACLE PLATE
|
1500
|
1
|
2
|
61
|
0.75
|
POCKET POWER
|
93.13
|
|
04-Jul-2009
|
VODACOM DURBAN JULY
|
2200
|
10
|
1
|
51
|
0.75
|
ZIRCONEUM
|
135.55
|
|
06-Jun-2009
|
DAILY NEWS 2000 (GRADE 1)
|
2000
|
10
|
1
|
57
|
0.5
|
DAN DE LAGO
|
121.83
|
|
12-May-2009
|
K R A GUINEAS (Grade 2)
|
1600
|
10
|
1
|
57
|
1.5
|
PORT OF DUBAI
|
98.42
|
|
19-Apr-2009
|
SUNDAY TRIBUNE BYERLEY TURK (Grade 3)
|
1400
|
9
|
2
|
58.5
|
0.5
|
POLISHED STEEL
|
82.5
|
|
31-Jan-2009
|
INVESTEC CAPE DERBY (Grade 1)
|
2000
|
8
|
1
|
57
|
1.0
|
BLUEMAMBO
|
125.29
|
|
20-Dec-2008
|
BLOODSTOCK SA CAPE GUINEAS (Grade 1)
|
1600
|
9
|
7
|
57
|
4.4
|
LE DRAKKAR
|
99.82
|
|
22-Nov-2008
|
OCEAN BASKET GREEN POINT ST (WFA) (Gr 2)
|
1600
|
9
|
2
|
51
|
2.25
|
POCKET POWER
|
98.12
|
|
24-Oct-2008
|
RACING ASSOCIATION STAKES (Listed)
|
1600
|
4
|
1
|
58
|
0.05
|
LIZARD'S DESIRE
|
99.94
|
|
03-Oct-2008
|
RACING ASSOCIATION PLATE
|
1400
|
7
|
1
|
56
|
2.0
|
SPARKLING GEM
|
87.22
|
|
13-Sep-2008
|
MAIDEN PLATE (C & G)
|
1400
|
2
|
1
|
58
|
2.5
|
JODEE'S PROSPECT
|
93.15
|
|
08-Mar-2008
|
EQUIMARK STAKES
|
1200
|
11
|
2
|
54
|
0.75
|
CHIEF BLACKFOOT
|
73.59
|
|
23-Feb-2008
|
MAIDEN JUVENILE PLATE
|
1200
|
5
|
6
|
57
|
6.35
|
BUSH PIRATE
|
75.16
|
|
