Instigator carries Small to Grand Annual Steeplechase glory post-trauma

Rivals and local trainers promptly applauded Braidon Small's triumph aboard Instigator in the Grand Annual Steeplechase held at Warrnambool.

In 2023, Small was found to have a brain tumour, leading to surgery, radiation, and chemo treatments, with the goal of resuming his beloved activity of riding thoroughbreds, especially over jumps.

"You get up and keep moving forward. That's what you've got to keep doing," Small told racing.com following Instigator's tight victory in the nation's most demanding steeplechase on Thursday, which spanned 5500m and included 33 obstacles.

Son of Cyril Small, famed for his association with Vo Rogue from the late 1980s into the early 1990s, Small went close to three years without success until Instigator's win at Terang recently, yet felt let down by the Aaron Purcell-prepared gelding in Tuesday's Brierly Steeplechase (3450m) at Warrnambool.

"I went home with my head between my knees and sulking," Small said.

"I've always had full faith in Aaron and the team at home and Aaron wouldn't have run him today if he didn't think he was right.

He obviously ate up well, trotted up well this morning and he had a bit more pep in his step on the way to start, not his usual tactic, so he was obviously feeling good.

That was great fun."

Instigator ($11) nosed out Hit The Road Jack ($4) by half a head in a blanket finish, with Gambu ($26) trailing 15 lengths behind in third.

Fate smiled on Small with the date being May 7.

"In our family, our lucky number is seven," Small said.

"I didn't want to fill myself with a lot of nonsense, but he had saddle blanket seven and was in race seven.

I told no-one, I wouldn't even let myself believe it.

We had a big job at hand, and I was more worried with that than numbers and stats and that sort of stuff."

Coincidentally, German-bred Instigator's debut came at Cologne on May 7 2017, securing a maiden victory at 1800m.

The date also signals Instigator's retirement, as horses in Australia must stop racing after turning 13.

"It's a forced retirement this year, otherwise we would be bringing him back next year," Purcell said.

"This is the horse's last start ever and it's amazing it's come off.

Braidon has been with us a long time, 10, 15 years and been working hard and this is the race we've always wanted."

Purcell now has two Grand Annual wins, the first coming with Ginolad back in 2008.

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