Canny Lad (1987 – 2014) was an Australian thoroughbred racehorse that won two Group 1 races and went on to become a successful sire.
Canny Lad was the brother of Sister Canny and Canny Lass who were also bred by Alec Dodson, their descendants include Camarena, Camarilla, Sepoy and Guelph.
Racing career Canny Lad was trained by Rick Hore-Lacy. He won his debut race, the listed Maribyrnong on 7 October 1989 at Flemington ridden by Shane Dye, who would ride him in most of his races.
Notable performances include the following:
1st in the 1989 Maribyrnong (listed, 900m), ridden by Shane Dye. 1st in the 1989 Florentino (Group 3, 900m), Shane Dye. 1st in the 1989 Maribyrnong Plate (Group 2, 1000m), Shane Dye. 1st in the BD Prelude (Group 3, 1000m Sandown), Shane Dye. 2nd in the 1990 Blue Diamond Stakes (Group 1, 1200m) behind Mahaasin, Shane Dye. 1st in the 1990 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes (Group 1, 1400m), ridden by Jimmy Cassidy. 1st in the 1990 Golden Slipper Stakes (Group 1, 1200m), Shane Dye. 1st in the 1990 Bill Stutt Stakes (Group 2, 1600m), Shane Dye. 3rd in the Cox Plate, as a 3-year old, behind Better Loosen Up and Sydeston, Shane Dye. 1st in the Tattersall's Stakes (Group 3, 1400m), ridden by Jimmy Cassidy.
He was retired after his 3-year old season.
Stud career After his racing career, Canny Lad stood at stud with success. His progeny included:https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/113695/australian-champion-sire-canny-lad-dead Accomplice: winner of the 1997 Doomben 10,000 and The Galaxy (ATC) Allez Suez: winner of the 1999 Epsom Handicap Ancient Song: winner of the 2002 Light Fingers Stakes, ATC June Stakes and 2003 Salinger Stakes Calveen: winner of the 2005 Easter Handicap (Group 1, 1600m, Ellerslie) Cannsea: winner of the 2000 Railway Stakes (New Zealand) (Group 1, 1200m, Ellerslie) Dodge: winner of the 1998 Queensland Derby & Epsom Handicap He's No Pie Eater: winner of the 2007 Rosehill Guineas & 2007 Chipping Norton Stakes. Preserve: winner of the 2000 Sires' Produce Stakes (VRC). Republic Lass: winner of the 2002 Australian Oaks & 2003 Ranvet Stakes. Small Minds: winner of the 2010 Schweppes Oaks.
Descendants
Canny Lad was broodmare/dam sire of: Desert War: a six-time Group 1 winner. I Am Invincible: Australian Champion Sire (2022–2024) Mnemosyne: winner of the 2005 The Thousand Guineas & 2006 Queen of the Turf Stakes Redoute's Choice, a multiple Group 1 winner and leading sire in his own regard.
His legacy has carried on through descendants such as:
Anamoe Giga Kick Imperatriz Snitzel Zoustar
Retirement and death After retiring from stud duties in 2011 Canny Lad shared a paddock with Octagonal. He died in 2014 and was buried at Woodlands.
See also Thoroughbred racing in Australia
References