RUSSIAN CAMELOT RETIRED TO STUD

Dual Group 1 winner Russian Camelot will be retired and will head to stud this coming season.

Following Saturday’s epic All Star Mile, the dual Group 1 winning colt has been found to have a slight tear in his near-fore tendon and connections have made the heart-breaking decision this morning to retire him immediately.

While disappointed to announce this news, managing owner John Wheeler said connections would be forever grateful for being involved with Russian Camelot.

“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,” Mr Wheeler said.

The striking son of star European sire Camelot finishes his career with an outstanding resume highlighted by his weight-for age deeds and the fact he is the only Northern Hemisphere-bred horse to win a Southern Hemisphere Derby.

“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 three-year-old,” trainer Danny O’Brien said.

In the Spring of 2020, Russian Camelot raced five times all at Group 1 level. The amazing campaign was highlighted by a dominant Underwood Stakes victory, an astonishing second in the Makybe Diva and second in the Caulfield Stakes, a courageous third in the Cox Plate and a brave unplaced effort in the Melbourne Cup.

“He is 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,” O’Brien said.

“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.”  

Connections are weighing a variety of options for his future and an announcement will be made once a stud deal is finalised. 

Russian Camelot finishes his career with four wins, four seconds, one third from 11 starts and $2,346,225 in prizemoney.