Racing: Massive crowd farewells popular Takeover Target

SYDNEY - On a day when All Silent raised the bar for Australian sprinters at Flemington, a huge crowd turned out at Randwick to farewell a true champion in Takeover Target on Saturday.

Caps, buttons and doughnuts in his red, white and black colours were everywhere as trainer Joe Janiak greeted the fans and paraded the 10-year-old at the raceday stalls.

Shortly after the Patinack Classic had been run and won in devastating style by All Silent, Takeover Target made his way to the Randwick enclosure, walking down in front of a packed public stand.

Such was his charisma, almost 12,000 people came to Randwick, double what the Australian Jockey Club had counted on.

Famously bought by Janiak as an unraced horse for just A$1375 because of some injury issues, Takeover Target amassed more than A$6 million from several group one wins in Australia and overseas.

His career ended when he injured himself in England this year, requiring surgery and a long rehabilitation before being transported home.

Jay Ford rode Takeover Target in all but two of his 41 starts and was legged aboard on Saturday for one last time at Randwick.

Takeover Target trotted up to the 200m mark and stopped to have a good look before coming back down the straight in front of his fans.

"He's always been the sort of horse who likes the spotlight," Ford said.

"At the top of the straight he stopped and had a good look around.

"He knew where he was.

"It's great to see him happy and well and he felt real good."

Janiak said the gelding was in fine condition ahead of a trip across the country to give his Perth fans the chance to say goodbye.

"A lot of clubs have expressed interest in seeing him and he has been asked to lead the field out for the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington next autumn.

"It's been a fantastic journey, he's given a lot of people a lot of pleasure.

"Physically he's fine and could probably race again but we won't be doing that,"Janiak said.

Courtesy of Takeover Target, Janiak was able to move from Queanbeyan to new stables at Coffs Harbour where Takeover Target will reside.

"He will stay in the stables in light work to keep him fit," Janiak said.

"He would probably do damage to himself in the paddock because he is such an active horse so we will take him to the beach up at Coffs.

"He enjoys it there."

- AAP