Mighty mare News Girl has been retired by trainer Geoff Duryea

Trained at Corowa by Geoff Duryea, News Girl sadly suffered a recurrence of a tendon injury after trackwork on Tuesday.

Duryea said he knew the odds were stacked against his mighty mare making a successful return to the track after having not raced since May last year.

"Sadly, News Girl's racing days are behind her," Duryea said.

"It's sad news not just for me but for everyone who has been involved in her career.

"But once a horse suffers a tendon injury they can flare up again at any time.

"Sometimes they don't but unfortunately we didn't get to see her race again."

News Girl stamped herself as one of the most talented gallopers in the Southern Districts after three city wins, all at Caulfield.

She also finished runner-up twice in Group 3 company and fourth in the Angus Armanasco at Group 2 level.

The six-year-old mare also ran class records at both Albury and Caulfield.

News Girl was bred by Duryea and is out of his former handy mare Stacey Lee.

Affectionately known as 'Maggie' around the stable, News Girl had 18-career starts for five wins, four minor placings and almost $350,000 in career earnings.

News Girl was raced by a large syndicate of owners including Duryea's two sons Marc and Paul, Jake Edmunds and Andrew Cronin.

Duryea rated News Girl 'right up there' with the most talented horses he has had in his stable.

"She won three in town, has been group placed and won $350,000," he said.

"I haven't had a horse win that much for me previously."

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Duryea revealed News Girl could be a handful on the training track but always gave her all on race day.

"She is a typical mare and a cranky bugger to train," he said.

"But when she gets to the races and leaves the mounting yard she turns into a bulldog and won't give up the fight.

"I'll never forget her win on Boxing day two years ago when she got headed twice in the home straight and she just kept fighting and fighting and won by half-a-head.

"It just showcased her will to win and what separates the best from the rest."

Duryea said he will speak to connections before deciding the next phase of News Girl's career.

"Obviously she has enormous potential as a broodmare," he said.

"I haven't had a chance yet to talk to the syndicate whether we breed from her or someone else may be interested in buying her.

"We will just have to wait and see what happens.

"I'm just happy to let the dust settle before we decide.

"But she will be well looked after no matter what happens next."

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