Internationally renowned sire RED RANSOM (Roberto) has been euthanized in
Australia, according to a Vinery release posted on racingandsports.com.au. The
22-year-old stallion had been experiencing complications in the wake of
abdominal surgery on Saturday.
Red Ransom flashed real talent in his brief racing career, which was
unfortunately curtailed by injury. A homebred campaigned by Paul Mellon, he won
his debut impressively at Saratoga as a juvenile, blazing five furlongs in a
track-record :56 4/5. The Mack Miller trainee prevailed in an allowance next
time out at Belmont Park, and was regarded as an exciting candidate for the 1990
classics. In his three-year-old bow, Red Ransom finished second in a Gulfstream
Park allowance, but he was never to race again.
While Red Ransom did not get the chance to fulfill his potential on the
racetrack, he transmitted his raw ability to his progeny and built a glittering
career at stud over the years. In his very first crop, he sired classy English
juvenile Sri Pekan, who put him right on the map by winning the Richmond S.
(Eng-G2), Champagne S. (Eng-G2) and Coventry S. (Eng-G3) in 1994. Red Ransom got
off the mark quickly stateside as well, with his flagship performer Bail Out
Becky taking the 1995 Del Mar Oaks Invitational (G1).
Since those promising beginnings, Red Ransom has sired such stand-outs as
Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) hero Electrocutionist, a highweight in both Italy and
the United Arab Emirates; American champion turf female Perfect Sting, winner of
the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1); English highweight miler Intikhab;
German highweight Ransom o’ War; Epsom Oaks (Eng-G1) queen Casual Look; English
Group 1 scorer Red Clubs; Italian Group 1 victor Ekraar; and Australian Group 1
winners Charge Forward, Red Dazzler, Duporth, Onemorenomore, Typhoon Tracy and
All American. Typhoon Tracy just won her second Group title in the October 31
Empire Rose S. (Aus-G1), while All American joined the club in the November 7
Cantala/Emirates S. (Aus-G1).
Red Ransom is also making an impact as a broodmare sire, with his daughters
producing the likes of Canadian champion older male Marchfield (A.P. Indy),
Irish highweight U S Ranger (Danzig), Italian highweight Fashion Statement
(Rainbow Quest), Frizette S. (G1) heroine Devil May Care (Malibu Moon) and
U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) and Super Derby (G2) hero Regal Ransom (Distorted Humor).
Out of the winning Damascus mare Arabia, Red Ransom hailed from the family of
Mellon’s multiple Grade 1 handicap star Winter’s Tale (Arts and Letters).
Red Ransom was standing at Vinery Stud in New South Wales, Australia, for a
fee of A$66,000.
“Red Ransom was a foundation sire for Vinery and has contributed
significantly in the stud’s success over the last 11 years,” the farm’s
statement said. “A horse of great character, he will be sadly missed by the
partners and staff of Vinery.”