Widden Stud stallion Magnus euthanised
Magnus (Flying Spur), a horse that took connections to racetracks around the world, has been euthanized due to age-related issues, Widden Stud has announced.
Magnus, who died at 21 years of age, scored as his most notable victory The Galaxy (Gr 1, 1100m) at Warwick Farm in 2007, in which he was piloted by Damien Oliver.
Known for his home turf exploits, Magnus also performed with distinction overseas on many occasions, finishing a gallant third in the King’s Stand Stakes (Gr 2, 5f) at Royal Ascot behind Australia’s own Miss Andretti (Ihtiram), defeating another ‘Aussie’ superstar Takeover Target (Celtic Swing) in the process.
He was also narrowly defeated into second behind Takeover Target in the Krisflyer International Sprint (Listed, 1200m) held at Kranji.
Magnus raced in a golden era packed full of elite sprinters; Miss Andretti, Takeover Target, Weekend Hussler (Hussonet), Apache Cat (Lion Cavern) and Gold Edition (Lion Hunter), a group in which he shared podium finishes in no less than seven Group 1 contests.
He ended his racing career with four wins and a further 11 placings from 24 starts, amassing $1,143,682 in prize-money for his owner-breeder Robert Crabtree.
“Magnus took us around the world,” Crabtree said. “He gave us the full circle, we bred him, raced him around the globe and stood him at stud. He really has given us the ride of a lifetime.”
Magnus retired to Eliza Park in 2008 and since then has produced 525 winners at a 72 per cent winners-to-runners ratio, siring four Group 1 winners and, to date, 27 individual stakes winners, including 17 million-dollar earners.
“It’s an incredibly sad day for me personally,” Widden Victoria’s Phil Marshall said. “Magnus was a gem, a real character, as everyone who has worked with him will agree. We will all remember his quirks and of course his incredible talent as a sire. The Victorian breeding industry has lost a star”.
Magnus is already the broodmare sire of 75 winners, including the Dorrington Farm-bred Group 1 winner Mizzy.
Out of Scandinavia (Snippets), who has 13 stakes winners from her direct line, including the likes of All Too Hard (Casino Prince), Scandiva (Fastnet Rock), Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon), and Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), Magnus will be buried next to his dam at Crabtree’s Dorrington Farm in Nagambie.
“Magnus has been incredible for me and my family and we feel honoured to oversee the final resting place for him with the love, affection and respect, which Magnus both earned and deserves,” Crabtree said.
“It is with great gratitude to the Widden Victoria management and staff, we acknowledge the care given to our much loved big man.”