On June 3, 2023, the racing outlook looked bright for trainer Donna Logan, especially for her two-year-old babies Artillery and Santino.

The Te Akau Racing pair ran second and third respectively at their Kranji launch in a Restricted Maiden (1,200m), auguring well for their Group 3 Singapore Golden Horseshoe (1,200m) aspirations in seven weeks’ time.

Longer term, they also fitted the bill as three-year-old contenders in 2024.

Barely two days later, these lofty projects were the furthest things on the New Zealander’s mind. Like her 21 fellow Kranji trainers, she was hit with a bombshell – racing was closing on Oct 5, 2024.