Inter Dominion winner retired

TIME has been called on Boncel Benjamin's career after 95 starts, 17 wins and an unforgettable Inter Dominion triumph.

The gelding’s run in the third round of ID22 heats at Geelong on December 3 will be his last, with the seven-year-old set to live out retirement under the care of owners Steve and Julie Duffy.

“He just wasn’t going well,” said Steve.

“He was working well and everything was fine, but he just wasn’t letting down like he can.

“He’s been ridden over the years, so Julie will ride him, take him on trail rides and things like that.”

The Duffys were on track to witness Boncel Benjamin’s historic Inter Dominion victory at Menangle in December 2021 when he won on protest over first-past-the-post Expensive Ego.

That victory for New South Wales trainer Jason Grimson was clearly the crowning glory of a career that started in May, 2017 and took in stints at many stables along the way.

Duffy prepared Boncel Benjamin at various stages, with the son of Grinfromeartoear also spending time under the care of Michael Stanley, Tim McGuigan and, finally, Duffy’s son Ryan.

“Everyone’s ambition is to win an Inter Dom so he’s done that and been a great horse to us,” Steve said.

“He’s the type of horse that always liked to be in work, too.

“When you did give him a spell, he’d be walking the fence just wanting to come in every day anyway. He’s like that even now out there.”

Boncel Benjamin’s career was never straight-forward, with three tendon injuries resulting in many months away from the racetrack.

Sharing the same name as Duffy’s late father, Boncel Benjamin was a proven trier and heads into retirement with earnings of $487,330.

- HRV Media