Group 1 racehorse and sire Canny Lad was put down on Tuesday morning at Woodlands Stud.

Aged 26, he was retired from active service in 2011 and saw out the last few years in his paddock alongside Octagonal.

Canny Lad (Bletchingly – Jesmond Lass by Lunchtime) was Champion Australian 2YO winning the Golden Slipper and VRC Sires Produce Stakes.  His only defeat in 7 starts that season was a runner-up finish to Triscay in the Blue Diamond.

He returned at three to win the Bill Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley and gave a great sight in the 1990 Cox Plate when taking the field up to tearaway leader Stylish Century.  He was still in front at the furlong before Better Loosen Up overhauled the colt on the way to Australian Horse of the Year honours.

Canny Lad retired to stud the following year and there followed a prolific career which included 10 Group 1 winners, 54 stakes winners and over $53 million in prizemoney earnings.  He will also be remembered as the broodmare sire of Redoute’s Choice.

Trainer Rick Hore-Lacy remembered the horse very well.  “It’s a sad day for racing,” he said.  “He was a great racehorse, absolutely one of the best I have trained and a great type.”

Canny Lad and his flying sisters Sister Canny and Canny Lass were bred by Alec Dodson.  Modern day descendants of the fillies include Camarena, Camarilla, Sepoy and Guelph.

“Canny Lad and his relations have had a significant impact on Darley’s fortunes both on the racecourse and at our stud farms since Sheikh Mohammed purchased Woodlands in 2008,” Darley’s Henry Plumptre said.

“Obviously winning the Slipper with Sepoy was a highlight, but the performance of Guelph last year was just as exciting for us and they were both crowned Champion 2YOs of their year – which is an extraordinary feat for one family within three years.”

Canny Lad will be buried at Woodlands.

CANNY LAD GROUP 1 WINNERS

ACCOMPLICE
1997   Doomben 10 000
1997  AJC The Galaxy

ALLEZ SUEZ
1999 AJC Epsom Handicap

ANCIENT SONG
2003 VRC Salinger Stakes

CALVEEN
2005 NZ Easter Handicap

CANNSEA
2000 NZ Railway Handicap

DODGE
1998  QTC Queensland Derby
1998 AJC Epsom Handicap

HE’S NO PIE EATER
2007 STC Rosehill Guineas
2007 AJC Chipping Norton Stakes

PRESERVE
2000 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes

REPUBLIC LASS
2002 AJC Australian Oaks
2003 STC Ranvet Stakes

SMALL MINDS
2010 SAJC Schweppes Oaks

CANNY LAD