Saros (GB), whose offspring include millionaire Grade 1 winner Fran's Valentine, was euthanized on November 19 because of complications of old age. The son of Sassafras (Fr) was 27."It was a hard day for us," said Mark Winslow, farm manager of Jack Hoover's Circle H Ranch near Murrieta, California, where Saros stood before being pensioned at the conclusion of the 1999 breeding season. "He never caused any trouble. He was easy to breed, never had a sick day, and was extremely easy to take care of. When you are in the horse business, you have many horses over the years that die, but that one hurt."

Saros was buried at the farm with a marker placed on his grave, a move that Winslow said gave comfort to the horse's handlers. He said the stallion's deteriorating health led to the decision to put him down.

"His health was failing day by day," he said. "He had pretty much lost his eyesight, and he creaked with arthritis."

Saros had been at Circle H since the 1993.

From 19 crops of racing age, Saros is represented by 16 stakes winners, including four graded stakes winners. His progeny have earned $11,790,651.

His leading runner is Fran's Valentine, the blazed-faced filly who battled to victory in the inaugural Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), only to be disqualified and placed tenth for interference. She made amends for the remainder of career by accumulating earnings of $1,375,465 and collecting 13 triumphs, including the 1985 Kentucky Oaks (G1). As a broodmare, the daughter of the Bicker mare Iza Valentine is represented by Grade 1 winner With Anticipation.

Saros's other leading runners include graded stakes winners Iz a Saros (a full brother to Fran's Valentine) and full siblings Saros Brig and He's a Saros (both out of The Brig [Arg], by Booz).—Liane Crossley