Vale, Sir Dragonet

Media Release - Friday October 15

The Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) is deeply saddened to report that reigning Ladbrokes Cox Plate champion Sir Dragonet sustained a fatal injury in trackwork at The Valley this morning whilst training for his title defence.

Sir Dragonet received veterinary care on-course, however the decision was made to humanely euthanise the horse due to the nature of the injury sustained.

Cox Plate hero Sir Dragonet suffered a fatal injury at trackwork this morning.

Our hearts go out to trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, their stable staff and Sir Dragonet’s owners who are all devastated at the loss of a much loved horse.

Advertisement

Formerly trained in Ireland, Sir Dragonet came to Australia in the Spring of 2020 and won Ladbrokes Cox Plate 100, giving Hall of Fame jockey Glen Boss his fourth win in the race.

He then ran a terrific sixth placing in last year’s Melbourne Cup, before returning with more Group 1 success in the Autumn, where he was a dominant victor of the Tancred Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.

He gave trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace their first win in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate and he will forever hold a special place in the hearts of all those who were involved with him.

Sir Dragonet will be remembered as a champion thoroughbred who won the 100th running of the W.S. Cox Plate, a victory that ensures his place in history.

The below statement was made by Ciaron Maher Racing:  

We’re heartbroken to announce that Sir Dragonet has broken down during a piece of work at Moonee Valley this morning and was euthanized on course.

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.

Rest easy Dragon.

MVRC Release

Advertisment
More Reading...
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Melbourne Cup Winner for Extreme Choice – Rare Slice of History
This year’s $8.5million Group I VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m) produced a genuinely amazing fairytale result for the connections of five year-old Extreme Choice gelding Knight’s Choice, but part of that fairytale is his sire Extreme Choice, who has carved out something seriously special as being only the second sire in history to produce the winner of a Golden Slipper and a Melbourne Cup.
Knights Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Coolmore Announce Euro 2025 Fees
Coolmore have announced fees for their 20 strong European sire roster with three new additions City of Troy (Justify), Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact)and Henry Longfellow (Dubawi) and a significant increase for Wootton Bassett, who is currently in Australia.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.