by Pete Denk

Multiple Grade 1 winner Sharp Cat died while foaling an A.P. Indy colt at Gainsborough Farm in Versailles, Kentucky on April 21, Darley officials said. Sharp Cat was 14.

Darley purchased the Storm Cat mare in foal to Gone West for $3.1-million at the 2003 Keeneland November mixed sale.

Sharp Cat won 15 of 22 career starts from 1996-’98 and earned $2,032,575 for her owner The Thoroughbred Corporation. She won 12 graded stakes, including seven Grade 1s.

Following her 5 1/2-length victory in the 1997 Santa Anita Oaks (G1), Sharp Cat faced males in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), where she engaged in a famous pace duel with eventual Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Silver Charm.

The duel cost both of them, as Silver Charm finished second to Free House, with Sharp Cat fading to sixth.

For her Grade 1 victories, Sharp Cat won the Matron (G1) and Hollywood Starlet (G1) Stakes at age two, the Las Virgenes Stakes (G1), Santa Anita Oaks, and Acorn Stakes (G1) at age three, and the Ruffian Handicap (G1) and Beldame Stakes (G1) at age four.

Her 11-length victory in the Beldame at Belmont Park was her final career race. She also finished second to champion three-year-old filly Ajina in the 1997 Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1).

Out of the stakes winning Ack Ack mare In Neon, Sharp Cat was bred in Kentucky by John Franks. She is a half sister to Group1 winner and sire Royal Anthem and Grade 3 winner Star Recruit.

Sharp Cat has produced two starters, both winners, from six foals, with progeny earnings of $14,286.

Pete Denk is sales editor of Thoroughbred Times