New Zealand’s champion thoroughbred Well Written returned to competitive racing on Saturday at Randwick, Sydney, experiencing her first defeat in the A$1.5 million Epsom Handicap after an unbeaten streak. Trained by Stephen Marsh of Cambridge, Well Written finished sixth in the Group 1 event, a result that prompted a closer examination of a rare equine condition encountered immediately after the race.

Well Written was diagnosed with “the thumps,” medically referred to as Synchronous Diaphragmatic Flutter, a condition involving spasms of the diaphragm that can sometimes sync with the heartbeat. These spasms produce a noticeable “thumping” noise, akin to repeated hiccups in humans. Though commonly mentioned in racing circles, Marsh said he had never previously dealt with a horse exhibiting this issue and only became familiar with the condition following the race.

The mare showed a full recovery within 30 minutes of the event, and Marsh noted that she appeared healthy and sound the following morning in her stables. While he declined to use the condition as an excuse for the runner’s underwhelming performance, Marsh acknowledged it could have contributed to Well Written not displaying her usual explosive finishing burst.

During the race, Well Written did not demonstrate her trademark acceleration and was observed drifting across the track, inadvertently bumping into rivals. Despite these challenges, she remained competitive until late in the contest before being overtaken by God’s Window, the eventual winner. Well Written still managed to outperform the favorite, Autumn Boy, but did not exhibit the dominant form she previously showed in New Zealand.

The soft track conditions at Randwick may have affected her performance, as could the higher quality of competition faced across the Tasman. Well Written’s connections are now set to target the $10 million Golden Eagle at Randwick on October 31, a shorter 1500-meter race restricted to four-year-olds at set weights. This event will feature a formidable field including Australia’s standout four-year-old filly Sheza Alibi, a rival that has elevated her reputation with several top performances.

Marsh remains pragmatic about the Epsom result and is focusing on the upcoming Golden Eagle as the next major challenge. “There is no point worrying about Saturday now,” he said. “The Golden Eagle is very much still the target.” The race will provide an important measure to reassess Well Written’s standing in Australian and New Zealand racing circles, particularly against high-caliber opponents.

As the racing community witnessed on Saturday, the sport can bring unexpected developments, and the next month will be crucial for Well Written’s campaign heading towards year-end championships.