SA trainer David Balfour goes out a winner at Balaklava

• 10 HOURS AGO JULY 30, 2014 10:29PM

South Australian trainer David Balfour with Right Fong at Camden Park. Source: News Limited

POPULAR South Australian trainer David Balfour finished his career just as he started it — with a winner.

Balfour’s final runner, Ardere, delivered on her promise to claim an easy victory at Balaklava, sending the veteran horseman out on a high before handing over the reins of the stable to his son Ryan.

This was the perfect way to end his outstanding career, giving him winning bookends after tasting success with his first ever runner — Track And Field — at Morphettville in 1985.

It might have only been a maiden, but it was an emotional result for the team.

“It’s a bit of a dream come true to get finish like that, it means a lot,” Ryan said.

“It’s a great way for the old man to go out.

Balfour has been struggling with illness recently and couldn’t make it to the track but Ryan said he was thrilled with the result.

“He’s still at the ICU in Ashford, he’s actually having an operation today to help him breathe,” he said.

“So it was pretty important to get that today.

“It’s a big help for the family — it lifts the spirits a bit.”

Ryan is hopeful that Ardere, who was the first leg of a running double for jockey Jamie Kah, can furnish into a capable sprinter just like her sister Obsidian Dragon.

“That filly has promised to do that for a while,” he said.

“She’s done a few things wrong, but I think next prep she’ll really come to the fore as she develops. I’m really looking forward to her as a four-year-old.”

Balfour, who had stints in Malaysia and Singapore, finishes his distinguished career with more than 700 winners and two Group 1 successes — in the 1990 Goodwood with Beau George and the 1991 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes with Not Related.

Originally published as Trainer David Balfour goes out a winner