Racehorse killed: 2020 WS Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet dies ahead of Everest and Caulfield Cup day

Tragedy as award-winning racehorse and reigning Cox Plate champion is killed hours ahead of the Everest and Caulfield Cup in a deadly start to the Spring Racing season

  • A trackwork injury claimed the life of 2020 WS Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet 
  •  The horse reportedly faltered 800m into his gallop ahead of Everest Cup day
  • He broke down during a piece of work at Moonee Valley on Saturday morning 


Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet has been euthanised following a track work injury just a week before the champion horse was set to defend its crown.

The stallion broke down 800m into its gallop during an early morning warm-up run at Moonee Valley on Saturday. 

The valuable entire was having his final piece of serious work heading into a defence of his Cox Plate crown at the racetrack next week. The tragedy also comes just hours before Everest – the country’s richest race – and Caulfield Cup are set to take place.

Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet has been euthanised following a track work injury just a week before the champion horse was set to defend its crown 

Sir Dragonet started his racing career in Ireland out of the all-conquering stable of Aiden O'Brien before his sale to an Australian ownership group last year (pictured, Sir Dragonet after winning Cox Plate at Moonee Ponds in 2020)

Sir Dragonet started his racing career in Ireland out of the all-conquering stable of Aiden O’Brien before his sale to an Australian ownership group last year (pictured, Sir Dragonet after winning Cox Plate at Moonee Ponds in 2020)

‘It is with great sadness to report that Cox Plate champion Sir Dragonet has been euthanised after tragically breaking down in a track gallop this morning,’ the Moonee Valley Racing Club confirmed in a statement.

Co-trainer Ciaron Maher was at Moonee Valley as Sir Dragonet was one of 18 horses scheduled to go through their paces ahead of the Cox Plate carnival.

The horse reportedly faltered 800m into his gallop.

‘We’re heartbroken to announce that Sir Dragonet has broken down during a piece of work at Moonee Valley this morning and was euthanised on course,’ Ciaron Maher Racing said in a statement. 

‘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. 

‘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.’

Sir Dragonet won the $5million Group 1 W.S Cox Plate last year. The champion stallion beat out Armory and Russian Camelot for the top gong. 

Sir Dragonet started his racing career in Ireland out of the all-conquering stable of Aiden O’Brien before his sale to an Australian ownership group last year.

The syndicate struck immediate paydirt when Sir Dragonet won the $5 million Cox Plate at his first Australian start for Maher and his training partner David Eustace.

The stallion broke down 800m into its gallop during an early morning warm-up run at Moonee Valley on Saturday

The stallion broke down 800m into its gallop during an early morning warm-up run at Moonee Valley on Saturday

The incident comes as a shock to the horse racing community with The Everest just hours away from happening at Royal Randwick in Sydney

The incident comes as a shock to the horse racing community with The Everest just hours away from happening at Royal Randwick in Sydney 

Sir Dragonet ran sixth in the Melbourne Cup at his next outing and returned in the autumn to win a Group One race in Sydney.

He was on target to run well again in the Cox Plate after two lead-in races when finishing close-up each time behind boom horse Incentivise.

‘Our condolences go out to his owners, connections and all who cared for this wonderful horse,’ Ciaron Maher Racing said.

‘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.’

The incident comes as a shock to the horse racing community with The Everest just hours away from happening at Royal Randwick in Sydney.

The $15million race was given an exemption to host a crowd of 10,000 punters. 

The $15million race was given an exemption to host a crowd of 10,000 punters

The $15million race was given an exemption to host a crowd of 10,000 punters 

The boost is still well short of the 42,000 who packed Randwick Racecourt in 2019 for the event.

The Australian Turf Club has drawn up its Covid-safe protocol for the day which includes one punter every four square metres.’

Chief executive Jamie Barkley said he was thrilled the race would be going ahead.

‘The Australian Turf Club has been working closely with the NSW government throughout the pandemic and we are thrilled to be opening the gates to more people this Saturday,’ he said.

‘Sydney and our racing is back open for business during the $50 million Everest carnival and for a race and event being watched around the world.

‘The Sydney spring is ready to shine with spectators and the ATC is ready to a lead the way in a COVID-safe reopening across the city.’ 

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