The 9yr-old, raced by Robert Famularo, had his racing curtailed by soreness over the past 12 months.
He had his last race and 95th start when fourth to Sir Lincoln at Addington on February 4.
The Sands A Flyin-Tuapeka Vale gelding was trained for his first 20 wins by Steven Reid and his next two by Reid in partnership with Graeme Rogerson. He was prepared for his remaining 17 wins by Brendon Hill.
Ricky May, the Methven reinsman, drove Monkey King in 25 of his wins.
He won the New Zealand Derby and was successful in the New Zealand Messenger and the Harness Jewels.
He won the New Zealand Cup and New Zealand Free-For-All double in 2009 and 2010 and the Auckland Cup in 2010.
He paced 1.50.8 winning the 2009 Miracle Mile.
He won both his heats at the 2010 Sydney Interdominions before a game second to another champion, Blacks A Fake, in the Grand Final.
He returned to Auckland just five days later for his Auckland Cup success.
He developed from a talented young horse to a world-class stayer and fans loved him because of his small stature and his tenacious will to win.
Most of those fans did not know what trainer Hill did.
"He is actually a bit of a handful," Hill said.
"He is a grumpy old bloke and would have a bite or a kick at you if you gave him the chance." "But that is just him. His attitude. He knows how good he is - which was very, very good."
Templeton trainer Jim Curtin suffered a broken ankle in a training accident yesterday. He has been replaced on Franco Emirate at Addington tomorrow night by Craig Thornley. He is also the regular driver of top trotter Dr Hook.
- Michael Guerin
