Sadler's Wells dies at 30

Sadler's Wells, 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. (Group 2) 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 (Group 1), Eclipse S. (Group 1) and Phoenix Champion S. (Group 1), as

well as the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial (Group 2). Distance limitations at 1

1/2 miles, however, resulted in second-place efforts in the Prix du Jockey-Club

(Group 1) and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. (Group 1). 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; multiple classic winner and Prix de l'Arc de

Triomphe (Group 1) hero Montjeu; four-time Gold Cup S. (Group 1) winner Yeats;

Epsom Derby (Group 1) winner Galileo, U.S. turf champion Northern Spur; U.S.

steeplechase champion Correggio; Irish champion El Prado; Breeders' Cup winners

In the Wings, Barathea and Islington; Arlington Million (Grade 1) winners

Powerscourt and Beat Hollow; Canadian turf champion Perfect Soul; and European

classic winners King of Kings, Entrepreneur, Ebadiyla, Dream Well, Refuse to

Bend, Imagine, Old Vic, Salsabil, Brian Boru, Alexandrova and Milan, among

others.

Many of those listed above have become outstanding sires and broodmares in

their own right, and it is no understatement that Sadler's Wells' influence on

the breed will continue for decades to come. His daughters have produced the

likes of recent stars Conduit, El Condor Pasa, Henrythenavigator and Workforce.

"He was undoubtedly the best sire Europe has ever seen and through his sons

Galileo, Montjeu, High Chaparral and Yeats along with grandsons Hurricane Run

and Rip Van Winkle he has left a wonderful legacy at Coolmore and his influence

looks set to continue for many years to come," Coolmore manager Christy Grassick

said. "We all feel privileged to have been involved with such a special horse."

The sire of approximately 300 stakes winners, Sadler's Wells was leading sire

in England and Ireland a collective 14 times. He was retired from stud duty in

May 2008.

Bred by Robert Sangster's Swettenham Stud, Sadler's Wells was produced by

Irish champion filly Fairy Bridge, a half-sister to French champion and

influential sire Nureyev.