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Octagonal, one of the highest profile horses to race in recent years,
retired to stud in 1997 as Australia's leading stakesearner, of approximately
$5.8m. He recently made the headlines again, his first born foal featured on the front page of the national paper, "The Australian". He is by the rising stallion star of New Zealand, Zabeel,
who is going from strength to strength, and out of the wonder mare Eight
Carat. His full brother Mouawad was champion 3yo in 1997, winning
3 consecutive G1 races, and his younger full brother (recently named Colombia)
sold for a record $1.6m (NZ) at the 1998 Karaka sales. Octagonal
now stands at Woodlands Stud in the Hunter Valley, and is on the shuttle
to France. His major wins included the AJC Sires Produce (as a 2yo);
Cox Plate, Canterbury Guineas, Rosehill Guineas, Mercedes-Classic, AJC
Derby (as a 3yo); Underwood Stakes, Chipping Norton Stakes, Australian
Cup and Mercedes-Classic again (as a 4yo). He was also placed in
the Golden Slipper and Champagne Stakes at 2 years, and the Caulfield Guineas
and VRC Derby as a 3yo. Octagonal will be affectionately remembered
as "The People's Champion". He is owned by the Inghams, was trained
by John Hawkes, and ridden in his major wins by Darren Beadman and Shane
Dye. He was an absolute pleasure to photograph.
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