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Jun 10 15 6:46 PM

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The racing industry is mourning the loss of an immortal great of the turf. Considered one of the best gallopers to have raced in Australasia, legendary New Zealand warrior Bonecrusher was humanely euthanised this morning after succumbing to laminitis. He died at the ripe old age of 32.

We all feel his loss but none so much as his owners. They not only trained him during this racing heyday but took him into their care on his retirement where he lived out his days acting as an ambassador for racing and rolling around in the paddock. He will be buried next to Sunline at Ellerslie Racecourse in New Zealand and a memorial plaque erected in his honour.

Bonecrusher aka 'Big Red', 'Red' and 'The Crusher' raced against elite company in the form of Vo Rogue, At Talaq, Tristarc, Our Poetic Prince and world class mare Horlicks. He is best remembered for his memorable defeat of another top gallper Our Waverley Star in the 1986 Cox Plate regarded to be the most competitive and epic renewals with the two fighting it out from the 600m mark. He was not at his best when he finished third in the Cox Plate of '88 behind Our Poetic Prince and Horlicks. A year later Horlicks went on to win the Japan Cup in world record time.

From 44 starts Bonecrusher won 18 times which included 9 Group Ones - Cox Plate, Australian Cup, Caulfield Stakes, Underwood Stakes, Tancred Stakes, Australian Derby, New Zealand Derby and New Zealand Stakes (x2) - and was placed a further 17 times (5 seconds, 12 thirds).

A handsome chestnut Bonecrusher was something to behold in full flight and embodied all the hallmarks of a champion overcoming numerous setbacks to win time and time again.

http://www.theinformant.co.nz/racing/IV38335/Legendary-galloper-Bonecrusher-dies

Footage from 2013 well worth the look. How cool to see him enjoying his retirement.