Cannonball, who ran twice at Royal Ascot in 2023, had to be euthanised after suffering the horrific injury running in a Group 2 race in Australia
Cannonball: broke his left front leg while contesting a Group 2 race(Image: Getty Images)
Fans have been left ‘absolutely sick’ after a once star sprinter broke a leg in the middle of his latest big race. Cannonball, a six-year-old gelding, competed at Royal Ascot in 2023 when he was brought over from Australia by father and son trainers Peter and Paul Snowden.
He earned the trip after winning a Group 3 race and then finishing third in the Group 1 Galaxy in Sydney. But it proved a forgettable visit as the sprinter finished last of 17 in the King’s Stand Stakes and on the recovery mission in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes reared exiting the stalls and lost jockey Danny Tudhope.
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Cannonball has moved stables twice since returning to Australia and showed signs of a rediscovering his best form at a Listed race at Flemington in November for new trainer Patrick Kearney.
He lined up as an outsider for the Group 2 Australia Stakes at Pakenham in Victoria on Friday and, after breaking well, was positioned on the outside of leader Veight turning into the home bend.
Yet at the 3f mark he broke down and was quickly pulled up by jockey John Allen, causing a collision with the pursuing Marhaba, who had to be eased out of the race. The incident overshadowed the victory of Hedged in a new track record time.
Cannonball: ran twice at Royal Ascot in 2023(Image: Getty Images)
The stewards report said: “Approaching the 600m sustained a serious racing injury to the left fore. Cannonball was humanely euthanised due to the injury sustained. This incident will be referred to RV Veterinary Services Department.”
His death was keenly felt by fans on social media, with one post saying: “Feel absolutely sick about Cannonball. Did not deserve that. The part of Racing that makes me sick to my stomach.
“Beautiful horse that we had at the start of his career. Thought he should have been retired a while ago.”
Another responded: “Awful scenes at Pakenham with Cannonball in the Australia Stakes, thoughts go out to Pat Kearny and the connections.