Champion Octagonal dies aged 24

Champion racehorse and sire Octagonal has died aged 24 at Darley’s Woodlands Stud in the Hunter Valley.

Darley said he was euthanised on Saturday morning because of a deterioration in his physical condition.

“The Big O as he was affectionately known, was still bright and alert mentally but was struggling physically,” Darley said.

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From the first crop by Cambridge Stud stallion Zabeel, the John Hawkes-trained Octagonal won 10 Group One races including the 1995 Cox Plate as a three-year-old.

His son Lonhro also became Australian Horse of the Year and in turn produced a champion of his own, Pierro.

“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,” John Sunderland, Woodlands general manager said.

Octagonal will be buried at Woodlands, where he has spent the majority of the past 16 years, alongside his old mate Canny Lad.