JOHN Hawkes’ favourite horse Octagonal, the superstar who he said took his training to another level, died on Saturday at age 24.
The 10-time Group 1 winner and Australia’s Horse Of The Year in 1996 was euthanised at Godolphin Woodlands.
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Wayne Hawkes said Octagonal was the horse which put their stable on the map.
“He changed our lives when he came long and he’ll always be regarded as our best horse,” Hawkes said. “Everything has to come to an end but he’ll never be forgotten.”
Darren Beadman rode him in five of his 10 Group 1 wins and described him “as a superstar.”
“The Big O as he was affectionately known, was still bright and alert mentally but was struggling physically,” a statement from Godolphin said.
Octagonal was raced by Jack and Bob Ingham and raced in their cerise colours.
Next Saturday marks the 21st anniversary of Octagional’s narrow victory in the Cox Plate after a titanic struggle with Mahogany.
The following autumn Octagonal won the three-year-old Triple Crown of the Canterbury Guineas, Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby and was involved in titanic battles with Saintly, Filante and Nothin’ Leica Dane.
Octagonal won the hearts of racegoers with his tenacity.
“He was a backmarker so he was always vulnerable and never won by big margins,” Beadman said. “He was always vulnerable but he always went to war for you.”
As a stallion, Octagonal sired one superstar in Lonhro who won eleven races.
Unlike his sire, Lonhro went on to be a successful stallion.
“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 told AAP.
Octagonal will be buried at Woodlands, where he has spent the majority of the past 16 years, alongside his old mate Canny Lad.
OCTAGONAL
Breeding: Zabeel-Eight Carat
Trainer: John Hawkes
Owners: Jack and Bob Ingham
Record: 28 starts; 14 wins, 7 2nds, 1 3rd
Prizemoney: $5,892,231
Group 1 wins: 10 (1995 AJC Sires Produce Stks, Cox Plate; 1996 Canterbury Guineas, Rosehill Guineas, AJC Derby, Mercedes Classic, Underwood Stks; 1997 Australian Cup, Chipping Norton Stks, Mercedes Classic)
Australian Racing Hall Of Fame: 2012
