The first Australian winner for Henny Hughes is just around the corner but the Darley shuttler received a setback earlier this week when his outstanding colt J C’s Pride was put down in New Jersey.

J C’s Pride (2c Henny Hughes – Hi Lili by Silver Deputy) had won a Saratoga maiden by three lengths in July clocking a track record 56.54 s for 1000 metres.

At his only subsequent start, the Robert Barbara trained colt was pulled up in the G1 Hopeful Stakes with an ankle injury.  He developed a salivary gland infection a couple of weeks ago and didn’t recover.

“He was as nice a horse as you would want,” Barbara said.  “He had all the tools and could have been a very nice horse.”

Henny Hughes (Hennessy) has sired 70 winners of 115 races from his first two northern crops bred at Darley’s Lexington stud.

His first Australian crop comprised 86 foals and they are up and running with placegetters Lil Red Corvette (Flemington), Bertie’s Bells (Launceston) and Henia (Caulfield).

Henny Hughes has two first-starters engaged in Queensland on Saturday – Sundiata Flyer in Race 1 at Doomben Rising Sky in Race 1 at the Gold Coast.

Henny Hughes was purchased privately by Sheikh Mohammed after winning the 2005 Listed Tremont Stakes by 15 lengths at Belmont Park.  

He followed up with a four length victory in the G2 Special Stakes at Saratoga before finishing his juvenile season with seconds in the G1 Hopeful Stakes, G1 Champagne Stakes and G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.  

Henny Hughes launched his three year-olds season with a 10 length victory in the G3 Jersey Shore Stakes at Monmouth Park and followed up with front-running victories in the G1 King’s Bishop Stakes and G1 Vosburgh Stakes.

He shuttles to Darley Kelvinside for a $16,500 service fee.