Russian Camelot has been retired from racing.
The Danny O’Brien stable has confirmed the “heart-breaking” decision to retire the two-time Group 1 winner and send him to stud.
The four-year-old sustained a “slight tear in his near-fore tendon” in Saturday’s All-Star Mile where he ran second to Mugatoo in the wet at Moonee Valley.
As a result of the injury, the son of Camelot has been retired by connections.
“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 in a statement.
Wheeler added on SEN's Whateley: “Very disappointing morning for all the owners.
“Racing is out. We won’t be going to Sydney but we think that on the face of it, he will have an opportunity at stud. We’ll deal with that in the coming weeks.
“He pulled up exceptionally well (from the All-Star Mile), he was very good on Sunday and he was very good Monday which is when we decided with Danny and the owners to have a crack at the Doncaster.
“Then we found some fill-in in the leg and some heat today. The vets tended to it and he had an ultrasound. He injured himself in the run on Saturday and it just didn’t show up until now.”
Trainer O’Brien added: “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 won the Group 1 SA Derby and Underwood Stakes last year while placing in the Cox Plate, Caulfield Stakes and Makybe Diva Stakes. He also ran eighth in the 2020 Melbourne Cup.
He bows out of racing having won connections more than $2.3 million in prize money.
Dual Group 1 winner Russian Camelot will be retired and will head to stud this coming season. pic.twitter.com/SZRx624ATb
— Danny O'Brien (@DOBrienRacing) March 18, 2021