Sadler's Wells dies at 30

SADLER'S WELLS (Northern Dancer), one of the most influential stallions in

the world over the past several decades, died Tuesday of natural causes at the

age of 30. The announcement was made by Coolmore Ireland, where Sadler's Wells

had resided since retiring to stud in 1984.

Unplaced only once in a two-season campaign encompassing 11 starts, Sadler's

Wells won the Beresford S. (Ire-G2) in his only stakes appearance at two. As a

three-year-old in 1984, he rattled off top-level wins in the Irish Two Thousand

Guineas (Ire-G1), Eclipse S. (Eng-G1) and Phoenix Champion S. (Ire-G1), as well

as the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial (Ire-G2). Distance limitations at 1 1/2

miles, however, resulted in second-place efforts in the Prix du Jockey-Club

(Fr-G1) and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. (Eng-G1). Sadler's Wells'

record upon retirement from the racecourse was 11-6-4-0, $663,423.

Sadler's Wells' offspring, as well as the offspring of his daughters, have

dominated the European classics in recent decades and won numerous championships

abroad. A sampling of his most noted sons and daughters include multiple U.S.

turf champion High Chaparral (Ire); multiple classic winner and Prix de l'Arc de

Triomphe (Fr-G1) hero Montjeu (Ire); four-time Gold Cup S. (Eng-G1) winner Yeats

(Ire); Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) winner Galileo (Ire), U.S. turf champion Northern

Spur; U.S. steeplechase champion Correggio (Ire); Irish champion El Prado (Ire);

Breeders' Cup winners In the Wings (GB), Barathea (Ire) and Islington (Ire);

Arlington Million (G1) winners Powerscourt (GB) and Beat Hollow (GB); Canadian

turf champion Perfect Soul (Ire); and European classic winners King of Kings

(Ire), Entrepreneur, Ebadiyla, Dream Well (Fr), Refuse to Bend (Ire), Imagine

(Ire), Old Vic, Salsabil (Ire), Brian Boru (GB), Alexandrova (Ire) and Milan

(GB), among others.