MIKE de Kock’s Fire Away (USA), the former crack North America racer destined for stud in South Africa, showed no interest in a Handicap over 1600m on turf at Meydan in Dubai on Thursday evening, his first run in seven months.

The plan was for Fire Away to put up a good showing in Dubai before he was to take up stud duties at Wilgerbosdrift, but after this disappointment he may not run again. The son of War Front will probably be making the trip to South Africa sooner than later.

Mike reported: “The first thing jockey Olivier Doleuze reported on his return was that Fire Away didn’t try an inch. He was out of it before the home turn.”

Fire Away was “jarred up all round” and pulled up with a sore off-fore hoof, but Mike said these weren’t unusual for runners coming out of a contest: “As noted before the race, he’s an older horse and sometimes they just don’t do what you expect them to do. He wasn’t enjoying himself out there and gave us notice of it.

Fire Away’s immediate future will be discussed with shareholders. “Of course this is not what we wanted, I am disappointed but we had a good plan and it just didn’t work out. What remains cast in stone is that Fire Away is a well-bred and well-performed horse, a magnificent looking horse with a good temperament and we look forward to his career at stud.”

In sad news for the stable, Suyoof was found bleeding from both nostrils after the same race. He was suspended and has been retired.