*LBR Chairman Stu Lang with Divine Missile recovering in the paddock at Redbank North (June 2019)

TWELVE months ago four year old gelding DIVINE MISSILE didn’t look like he would make it through the night. Fast forward a year and he is now poised to make a remarkable return to racing on Sunday at Dubbo.

DIVINE MISSILE developed a serious hoof injury whilst in pre training in April 2019, an injury which normally spells the end of the road for most horses.

It was only the strong recommendation of veterinary staff and quest for the best animal welfare that prompted the decision to save his life.

“It was certainly touch and go there for a couple of hours “ said managing owner Stuart Lang , recalling the anxious moments leading up to the decision operate. 

“The ownership group was certainly split on whether to take the chance on keeping him alive”. 

“But we had to rely on the experts opinion and there was more than a 50% chance the horse would survive the operation which swayed our thinking “ said Lang. 

The operation was indeed a success, but it also meant a significant period of rehabilitation , with his racetrack career well and truly up in the air  

“It was a tough decision as he hadn’t shown us a great deal in his first few starts , but at end of the day , horse welfare is our number one priority , so we decided to give him every possible chance , even if that meant living the rest of his days in the paddock at Redbank North” added Lang. 

Following the operation , DIVINE MISSILE spent two months confined to a box a, before graduating to a day yard , then finally into the paddock at Redbank North. 

“I remember seeing him about 6 months after the operation and he just looked a completely different horse “ recounted Lang .

“Jamie Middleton and all the staff at Redbank had done such a good job with him and we started to think a return to racing was a possibility “. 

After getting the tick of approval from stable vet Ken Jacobs , the horse returned to the Gosford stables of Luke Hilton to commence a racing preparation . 

Hilton has taken his time with the big son of SMART MISSILE and it has now been almost four months since he walked through the stable doors.

In an amazing story of patience and perseverance , DIVINE MISSILE  will finally step out at Dubbo this Sunday in a 1300m Maiden Handicap.

“He hasn’t set the world on fire in any of his trials this prep , but they have been over unsuitable distances and given he has had a year off , there is nothing like race fitness to bring him on “ concluded Lang

DIVINE MISSILE will most probably need the run on Sunday , but for the ownership group , it will be  validation of their patience to see him back sporting the silks on race day .