The owners and trainers of Cox Plate winning champion horse Sir Dragonet have been left devastated after the horse was euthanised on Saturday.
The Melbourne racing community is in shock after it was revealed last year’s Cox Plate champion Sir Dragonet had been euthanised on Saturday morning, hours ahead of the Caulfield Cup.
Sir Dragonet sustained a catastrophic injury after breaking down in a warm-up track gallop at The Valley and could not be saved.
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“We‘re heartbroken to announce that Sir Dragonet has broken down during a piece of work at Moonee Valley this morning and was euthanised on course,” Ciaron Maher Racing said in a statement.
“In the year that the Dragon has been in our care, he has won our hearts with his exploits both on and off the track.
“Our condolences go out to his owners, connections and all who cared for this wonderful horse.
“It has left a hole in our hearts but we‘re forever thankful for our time with him and he will forever remain a Cox Plate champion.”
Speaking later on Channel 7, Maher was clearly devastated as he revealed how it happened.
“He was just doing a routine gallop at the Valley, his preparation was going very similar to last year and Ben Allen, who knows the horse quite well, was sitting off another horse and they hadn’t really got into their work yet,” he said. “Between the 1000m and the half mile, just starting to increase, he said whether he put his foot down a bit funny, he sustained a catastrophic injury to his front fore leg. It’s a pretty hard pill to swallow.
“So much respect for the horse and what he’s done. He was probably not too far off having a career at stud. The staff and everyone, he was obviously a favourite, so it was a tough day for the stable.”
Maher said the staff had “so much respect for him” and his regular rider was “cut up for him”.
Moonee Valley Racing Club posted on Saturday morning: “It is with great sadness to report that Cox Plate champion Sir Dragonet has been euthanised after tragically breaking down in a track gallop this morning.”
The Maher and David Eustace-trained Sir Dragonet won the $5m Group 1 W.S Cox Plate last year.
Social media was quick to pay tribute to the champion horse.
Allen who was riding Sir Dragonet at the time, said of the tragedy: “It only happens to the good ones”.
Allen did claim a win on Caulfield Cup day, winning the 1100m Alinghi Stakes on the back of Mileva.
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