It is a fact of life in harness racing that having a season or two away from the track due to injury or illness can be career ending for some horses who never recapture their former glory once they comeback

Having a horse attempting a comeback after six and a half years on the sidelines due to injury and stallion duty would seem a herculean task but that is what the former age group star Gotta Go Cullect is attempting at the moment.

Brought outright by Alabar Bloodstock for stud duties when injury brought his racing career to a premature end , Gotta Go Cullect was given every show by breeders in his six years at stud.

He has served 550 mares in those six seasons which has resulted in 399 live foals on the ground.

As of today he has produced 45 winners including such smart types as Al Raza 1:52.1 (H) ($149,977), Royal Counsel, 1:54.2 ($88,202), Cullect A Guinness, 1:55.1 ($39,690 and Harrysul 1:57.1 ($45,056) but overall his numbers have been very disappointing and the numbers of mares he served each season has dropped accordingly.

Alabar head honcho Graeme Henley was scratching his head as the 2015-2016 breeding season drew close on what to do with Gotta Go Cullect.

" I had had a couple of approaches from Jay Abernethy to lease the horse and when I weighed it all up that looked to be be the best option for Gotta Go Cullect going forward."

" Jay had driven Gotta Go Cullect in his first five starts for four wins and a second so was over the moon with the chance to be reunited with him."

" Gotta Go Cullect has had six years as a stalion and during that time no real pressure has been put on his tendons and ligaments.

As a result his legs were looking great when he went to Jay's."

" The reports from Jay have been very positive and I think at this stage it is highly likely we will see Gotta Go Cullect back at the races in 2016, " Graeme said.

Gotta Go Cullect was an outstanding two and three year old racing against quality horses such as Stunin Cullen, 1:53.7 ($1,493,716), Highview Tommy 1:54 ($1,021,904) and Tintin In America 1:53.2 ($934,305) and while it is unrealistic to expect him to race at that level again at this stage of his career, class will ensure he won't disgrace himself where ever he lines up.

Harnesslink Media