The former Queanbeyan cult hero's English campaign came to a horror end at Newmarket early yesterday when he cracked the cannon bone in his near hind leg.

The gelding's trainer Joe Janiak was too emotional to speak to media straight after the race but told website Racing Post.com last night the 9-year-old would spend several months in hospital after an operation yesterday.

''He's had five screws inserted and will be box rested at the hospital for a couple of months,'' Janiak said.

''He seems fine after the operation and he needs to rest. He has been a fantastic horse and we have had some great adventures with him.''

Takeover Target struggled to seventh place in the Group1 July Cup, won by Fleeting Spirit.

An injury of this type is usually career-threatening or worse.

Trainer Jack van Duren, whose horses occupied the stables next door when Takeover Target first arrived in Queanbeyan, expected Janiak to retire the horse, even if it came through surgery well.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times