Champion racehorse Octagonal dies aged 24

OCTAGONAL, the winner of ten races at the highest level and best known as the sire of Lonhro, was euthanised at Godolphin Woodlands in Australia on Saturday morning. He was 24.

Bred by Cambridge Stud in New Zealand, Octagonal was from the first crop of leading sire Zabeel and out of the Pieces Of Eight mare Eight Carat.

Bought by Jack and Bob Ingham, he was trained by John Hawkes to win the Group 1 Cox Plate before going on to land the three-year-old Triple Crown of the Canterbury Guineas, Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby.

At five his tenth Group 1 victory came in the Mercedes Classic.

Retired to stud in 1997, his first crop contained 11-time Group 1 winner Lonhro who has since gone on to become a leading sire for Darley in Australia.

Other leading performers by Octagonal included the Group 1 scorers Laverock and Niello.

John Sunderland, general manager at Woodlands said: "It is a sad day as Octagonal is an old favourite of everyone and he will be sorely missed. He was such a lovely horse to deal with and such a big part of Woodlands."