Sadler's Wells Dies

[hockey2315]

From the TDN

Sadler's Wells (Northern Dancer–Fairy Bridge, by Bold Reason), a perennial champion sire and prodigious sire of sires in Europe, died of natural causes at Coolmore Tuesday afternoon, where he has resided since retiring to stud in 1984. He was 30 years old. Coolmore manager Christy Grassick said, "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. We all feel privileged to have been involved with such a special horse." Sadler's Wells captured both of his starts at two, including the G2 Beresford S., but was overshadowed by the brilliance of stablemate El Gran Senor, who ended 1983 as the champion two-year-old in England and Ireland. At three, Sadler's Wells won the G2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial S. before earning Classic glory in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas. He followed with a runner-up finish in the G1 Prix du Jockey-Club, splitting future top sires Darshaan (GB) and Rainbow Quest. The blaze-faced bay established himself as one of the toughest members of his generation thereafter, winning the G1 Coral-Eclipse S. and G1 Irish Champion S. as well as finishing second in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. Northern Dancer, represented by dual Classic winner El Gran Senor (2000 Guineas & Irish Derby) as well as Epsom hero Secreto in addition to Sadler's Wells, set record earnings figures in Britain and Ireland in 1984, becoming the first stallion to pass the £1-million mark (the previous best was £559,999). Rated at 132 by Timeform, Sadler's Wells entered stud in 1985 at Coolmore as one of the most desirable stallion prospects in years, with El Gran Senor and Secreto heading across the Atlantic and his 3/4-brother Nureyev (Northern Dancer--Special) departing France for Kentucky after one breeding season. Expectations were understandably high for Sadler's Wells with his initial Ir125,000gns stud fee, but the robust bay managed to exceed even the highest hopes. The tone for his stud career was set when a pair of colts from his first crop--Prince of Dance (GB) and Scenic (Ire)--dead-heated for victory in the 1988 G1 Dewhurst S. They were joined by Old Vic (GB), who doubled up in the G1 Prix du Jockey-Club and G1 Irish Derby; and In the Wings (GB), who captured the 1990 GI Breeders' Cup Turf. These early successes kept breeders clamoring for his services, and Sadler's Wells continued to deliver while covering big books of well-bred mares.