The Cox Plate champion of 2008, Maldivian, died on Monday aged 18.<\/p>\n
Trained by Mark Kavanagh and the son of leading New Zealand and Australian champion sire, Zabeel, Maldivian was a winner of nine races from 30 starts<\/p>\n
A winner of three group one races – the 2008 Cox Plate, the 2009 C.F. Orr Stakes and the 2007 Yalumba Stakes – Maldivian went on to win more than $2.8 million in total career prize money.<\/p>\n
The gelding was forced into retirement in 2009 following a tendon injury suffered during trackwork.<\/p>\n
It's understood Maldivian spent his final years living out as a paddock nanny at Victoria's Cityview Farm.<\/p>\n
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"Maldivian's name is forever etched on the Legends Wall here at The Valley and he will be remembered fondly for his achievements on the track," Moonee Valley Racing Club general manager racing Alastair Dwyer said.<\/p>\n
A Moonee Valley Racing Club statement read: "The Moonee Valley Racing Club were saddened today to hear about the passing of 2008 W.S. Cox Plate champion Maldivian.<\/p>\n
"Maldivian was a winner of nine races from 30 career starts, winning three Group 1 races and amassing $2,821,800 in prize money, and his victory in the 2008 Cox Plate remains one of trainer Mark Kavanagh's greatest achievements.<\/p>\n
"Maldivian was a terrific gelding who was unbeaten from three starts over 2040m at The Valley, and his all-the-way victory in the 2008 Cox Plate is a performance we will never forget."<\/p>\n
https:\/\/twitter.com\/AndrewBensley\/status\/1412631346485207041<\/a><\/p>\n