Tendon Injury Forces Russian Camelot Retirement

One of Australia's current Group 1 stars has been retired. Danny O'Brien Racing announced in a press release on Thursday that Russian Camelot (Camelot-Lady Babooshka, by Cape Cross) would be retired after suffering a slight tear in his near-fore tendon while finishing second in the All-Star Mile. "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," said managing owner John Wheeler. Russian Camelot, a £120,000 Tatts yearling purchase, won the Gr1 South Australian Derby as a 3YO, before winning the Gr1 Underwood Stakes while still a Northern Hemisphere 3YO, although weighted as a Southern Hemisphere 4YO. Overall, he won four of his eleven starts, and placed at Group 1 level in the WS Cox Plate, Caulfield Stakes, and Makybe Diva Stakes with earnings over $2.3 million. It is unclear what stud plans are in place for the magnificently performed son of Camelot (Montjeu) who is line-bred to stamina influence Sadler's Wells (Northern Dancer).