Veterinary Work Valued

David writes:

Congratulations to Dr Greg Quinn - when Wolfwhistle completed back to back wins last weekend winning the Listed Spring Classic Stakes at Riccarton (after Te Akau's win with Viana in the same race last year) I immediately thought of two things.

What a great job Dr Greg Quinn did operating on him. Wolfwhistle had a wind problem and needed surgery. The operation is called alaryngoplasty or a "tie back" as it is commonly called.

It is a procedure when the left side of the larynx is stabilised with a prosthesis. It must be a very difficult operation because the success rate is not very high especially with horses racing over the more staying distances eg 2000 metres and further.

Secondly I thought what a shame he had this problem because without it he would have been an outstanding racehorse one of the best.  We always viewed Wolfwhistle (Wolfie aka Falcon) as a Group 1 horse - that is part of the reason we recommended to his owners that we undertake the operation - and they have been hugely patient (and proud) of him!  Plus he is an entire and a thoroughly well behaved lad!

Greg Quinn is regarded by me as the very best equine surgeon in New Zealand and did his residency in England under the wing of the world's leading equine throat surgeon.  He is a member of the Hamilton Veterinary team which has done my vet work since 1984.