3 minute read
The Tim and Margaret Carter-trained Gr.2 Avondale Cup winner and dual Group One placegetter was last week retired after bleeding in a track gallop.
He has since begun training for his new role as a clerk of the course horse with Terry Wenn.
"He was a pretty special horse to us and we think it's fantastic that he will have a career after racing," Margaret Carter said.
"Terry Wenn has been wanting him for clerk of the course duties. He's a grey and such a pleasure to do anything with so he should be great in his new job. It's great that he can have such a good life after racing."
Bred and raced by Allan Hayward, Farm Boy won five of his 39 starts, highlighted by his narrow win over King Kamada and Rock Diva in the 2015 Avondale Cup (2400m) at Ellerslie.
He was beaten a nose and a long head by Sakhee's Soldier and Rising Romance at his next start in the Gr.1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie and went on to place in the Gr.3 Counties Cup and the following year's Avondale Cup before placing fresh-up in the Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Hastings earlier this season.
"He was just a great horse to have around. He was so trustworthy to ride. I would ride him every day and never wanted to give him up to the others to ride," Carter said.
"He was well above average as a racehorse and probably could have won a few more if things had gone right for him. He was never any trouble and he was like Allan's baby. He'll be missed around the stable."
However, Hayward still has good reason to be around the stable with Farm Boy's half-brother Battle Time still in work and set for his next appearance in the 1400m open handicap at Te Rapa on Saturday week.
"He's coming along well. We just didn't have him fit enough for the Easter [Stakes] last start but I'm pretty confident he's going to strip a lot fitter for his next race," Carter said.