Melb. Age:

'Australian sprint star Takeover Target has reportedly undergone emergency surgery after suffering a career-threatening injury while racing in England.

The 10 year-old gelding was reported by the Racing Post to have cracked a cannon bone, which leads from the knee to the ankle, in the July Cup at the historic Newmarket racecourse this morning'.

The horse has had arthritic problems for the last 2 yrs. [not unusual considering his age] They should have retired him last year. Greedy owner's never say STOP!

Officially retired after successful operation of 6 bolts inserted into leg.

Thanks for that latest news pharfromoz. Great for connections & Aussie racing if it all comes off. Our coveted Horse-of-the-Year award will be announced in August, determined by the votes of more than 250 national racing media and racing industry executives. Icing on the cake if Takeover Target can snag that one as well.

Didn't see the race
Very surprised he didn't place
Any excuses?

I’ve watched the race a few times (you can view it on the Singapore Turf Club website). Couldn’t see any real excuses, although they did run a full second faster than Takeover did in winning last year. Perhaps the run in the Goodwood took the edge off a bit. It was a tough effort.

janiak still pushing on with the u.k. trip..takeover target must have pulled up ok..

phar, can you get bestbets.com.au/web/ in the US? If so could you let us know so I can send the link to a US forum & know they can get it!!

still on track for the trip to the u.k. ..booked to fly from Singapore to England any day now..

Trainer Joe Janiak has confirmed that Takeover Target has retired
And it looks good news on the injury front
Five screws have been inserted to combat his cracked a cannon bone
In hospital for a couple of months
Then back home?

Well atleast he lives to see out his days in a paddock somewhere so many of the greats haven't, he was one of the best horses the country has ever seen and certainly the greatest racing story in my lifetime of racing Joe will be hard pressed to find one to replace him however for what Takeover Target did for them why would you bother getting another one nothing will ever beat what that horse did for them.

He won in England, Japan, Singapore and obviously Australia winning in NSW, VIC, QLD, SA and WA whilst here he certainly racked up the miles the old boy now it is time for him to rest well done to the old boy you have deserved it I am sure his feats will never be forgotten by those who had the pleasure of witnessing them.