RUSSIAN CAMELOT RETIRED THROUGH INJURY

Definitely a sad day for Australian Racing as Russian Camelot had been one of the bright stars on the racing calendar in the past few years. The big Russian broke down in track work on Thursday with a tendon injury meaning immediate retirement. 

The announcement comes as even more of a shock after Russian Camelot chased home Mugatoo at the Valley on Saturday and narrowly missed on another Group 1 title. 

A tear in the near-fore tendon has brought a premature end to the 11 start racing career of Russian Camelot and will be retired to stud to recover fully. 

“Today is an extremely disappointing day for us all, however we will be forever indebted to such a magnificent horse who gave us all the most exhilarating experience that we will never forget,” managing owner John Wheeler said

Melbourne Cup winning trainer Danny O’Brien was full of praise for Russian Camelot describing him as “an outstanding racehorse”.

 “From the moment we bought him at the Tattersalls Sale in Newmarket, he has been a standout colt. Although we only saw him race 11 times, he made a significant impact on the Australian racing scene winning a Derby and at weight-for-age in the spring as a NH [Northern Hemisphere-bred] three-year-old,” O’Brien said.

“He’s a horse that turned up in any weather and under any conditions, gave his all and never let anyone down. He was just an outstanding racehorse.

“It’s a shame his career ends prematurely as I felt his best racing was ahead of him up in Sydney this autumn and to next spring and beyond, however I have no doubt he will have a significant impact on our industry for years to come through his stud career.”

Russian Camelot retires a duel group one winner after taking out the SA Derby and the Underwood Stakes in Spring. 

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