Retired Group One winner Hucklebuck has been put down after suffering a bout of colic.

Prepared by premier Adelaide trainer Phillip Stokes to win eight of his 20 starts including the 2014 Emirates Stakes at Flemington, the six-year-old was retired after an unplaced finish in the Schillaci Stakes in October.

He was the 2015 South Australian Horse of the Year and earned more than $1.1 million.

Dominic Tourneur, who rode him 18 times, said on Twitter he was devastated.

“Absolutely saddened & gutted to hear that my mate and much loved #Hucklebuck has had to be put down today due to health issues RipChamp” Tourneur said.

Stokes also used Twitter to express his sadness.

“Rest in peace to our stable favourite Hucklebuck, he brought us so much joy over the years. Gone but no forgotten” he said.
 

SYDNEY, March 28 AAP