Takeover Target, a legendary sprinter in his own country and worldwide, has died after suffering a broken leg in a paddock accident.

Purchased for just A$1,250 by his then taxi-driving trainer Joe Janiak, Takeover Target became a international star, with victories in Australia, Singapore, Japan and Britain.

Retired in 2009, Takeover Target suffered a "freak accident", according to Janiak, who told racing.com: "He must have been trying to get up and his foot went from underneath him.

"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."

It was in 2006 that Takeover Target won the King's Stand at Royal Ascot by a short head, and during his career he was victrious in 21 of his 41 career starts, amassing over £2.5 million in total prize-money.

Janiak added: "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!"no Post 

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