Aussie sprinter Target dies Australian sprinting legend and Royal Ascot hero Takeover Target has been put down after suffering injury in a paddock. The 15-year-old was part of a true rags-to-riches tale after being purchased by then taxi-driving trainer Joe Janiak for the bargain-basement price of just £500 before claiming numerous Group One prizes and establishing himself as one of the world's best sprinters. Takeover Target landed the King's Stand at Royal Ascot on this day in 2006 and was also third in that year's Diamond Jubilee Stakes. He returned to Ascot for the following two years and ran well in defeat in both sprints on each occasion. The son of Celtic Swing made his final competitive appearance in the 2009 July Cup at Newmarket and has been enjoying his retirement back in his homeland. Janiak said his pride and joy broke his leg in a "freak accident" and his injuries could not be repaired. "He must have been trying to get up and his foot went from underneath him," Janiak told Australian website www.racing.com. "I'd say that the break was where the screws were and there was a bit of wear and tear and I think that it just came apart. "Thankfully he's had six years of a good life in the paddock. "He made a lot of people very happy, he made a lot of people rich and sent a few bookmakers broke!"
