NEWS
Group stakes winner, sire Riyadian dies at 19
Posted: Thursday, July 21, 2011 2:36 PM
by Michael Burns
Multiple English group stakes winner Riyadian, sire of 2004 Gran Premio Falabella (Chi-G1) winner Comando Intimo, died from a heart attack on Saturday at Haras El Centauro in Peru.
The 19-year-old Polish Precedent horse, who won the 1996 Jockey Club Stakes (Eng-G2) at Newmarket and 1995 Cumberland Lodge Stakes (Eng-G3) at Ascot, earned $302,986 for his owner-breeder, the late Prince Fahd bin Salman. Riyadian also finished second in the 1995 Dubai Champion Stakes (Eng-G1) and third in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Fr-G1).
Riyadian was first imported to Peru in 1999 by the disbanded Haras Rio Santa before relocating to Haras El Centauro. Riyadian also stood in Chile at Haras Santa Isabel.
"Riyadian´s death was a big shock for me as he was like a family member and was the soundest of individuals," said Andres Bezzola, principal of Haras El Centauro. "Unfortunately, I left for Santiago two days before, but I wouldn´t have been able to assist him as everything happened so fast."
"The breeding season starts in a few days, and some breeders have been very supportive and offered me seasons from their stallions," Bezzola said. "Their sympathy and support are helping me to overcome this difficult situation."
Bred in Great Britain, Riyadian is out of Irish classic winner Knight's Baroness, by Rainbow Quest.
Michael Burns is a South America-based correspondent for Thoroughbred Times
