NEWS
Prominent sire Rahy dies at age 26 at Three Chimneys
Posted: Thursday, September 22, 2011 3:32 PM
RAHY
Rahy, sire of three champions, including European Horse of the Year Fantastic Light and U.S. champion Serena’s Song, has died at age 26 from the infirmities of old age, Three Chimneys Farm announced on Thursday.
Rahy stood his entire career at the Midway, Kentucky farm, starting in 1990. He was pensioned in 2009 and spent his retirement at Robert and Blythe Clay’s farm.
“Rahy was a cornerstone in the development of Three Chimneys,” Robert Clay said. “He was a little horse with a lot of heart. We owe him so much. We will be forever grateful to Sheikh Maktoum for giving us this opportunity to stand Rahy, and to the Maktoum family for partnering with us in developing his magnificent stud career.”
Bred by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm, Rahy was purchased by Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid al Maktoum’s Gainsborough Stud Management for $2-million at the 1986 Keeneland July selected yearling sale. He went on to post six wins, four seconds, and one third in 13 starts and earn $343,386 in three seasons. He won the Bel Air Handicap (G2) at Hollywood Park and finished second in the Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes (Eng-G1) at Newmarket and Goodwood Handicap (G2) at Santa Anita Park, and third in the Rokeby Farms Mill Reef Stakes (Eng-G2) at Newbury.
Upon his retirement, Three Chimneys purchased a 50% interest in Rahy and stood him in partnership with the Maktoum family. He entered stud in 1990 with a $15,000 stud fee. His fee climbed to as high as $100,000 in 2002.
“Rahy is one of the most important stallions we’ve had,” said Case Clay, Three Chimneys’ president. “As a stallion, he had a profound and lasting impact on the breed and was integral to the development and success of Three Chimneys. He was a truly a world-class international sire.”
Rahy is the sire of 91 stakes winner from 19 crops of racing age. His offspring have earned more than $96-million through Wednesday.
His top progeny include 2001 European Horse of the Year and 2001 U.S. champion turf male Fantastic Light, 1995 champion three-year-old filly Serena’s Song, and 2006 champion two-year-old filly Dreaming of Anna.
As a broodmare sire, Rahy is the sire of the dams who produced more than 100 stakes winners, including the dams of Giant’s Causeway, Rutherienne, and Life At Ten.
“He was the ultimate ‘great things come in small packages’ kind of horse,” said Sandy Hatfield, Three Chimneys’ stallion manager. “He was really a little s---! He kicked harder and faster than any of the other stallions, but that definitely wasn’t a reason not to love him. I have so much respect for that horse. We’ll miss him a lot.”
Rahy, by Blushing Groom (Fr), was produced by Canadian Horse of the Year Glorious Song, by Halo. He is a half brother to multiple Group 1 winner and influential sire Singspiel (Ire).
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: unclemolover!, horseland, IL on September 24, 2011 at 08:17 PM
R.I.P great one you will be missed.
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Posted by: Robert, Louisville, KY on September 23, 2011 at 12:51 PM
I first saw Rahy about 10 minutes after he test bred his first mare. He was standing in the corner of his stall with the look of...Ugh.....what just happened!! He was truely an top stallion and his daughters will continue to spread his influence. Hopefully Lewis Michael will pick up the mantel and carry on the Rahy line.
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Posted by: Don, New Bedford, MA on September 23, 2011 at 07:08 AM
What sad news!
Rahy was one of my favorites at Three Chimneys and visiting there will not be the same without him.
Rest in Peace, Rahy! You'll be missed.
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Posted by: Karen, Indianapolis, IN on September 22, 2011 at 08:26 PM
That is a beautiful photo of him. I saw him 2 yrs. ago and he reminded me of an old man who would have liked a sweater draped over his shoulders. Three Chimneys people treated him kindly so I know he had a very good life.
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Posted by: Peg, Chesapeake, VA on September 22, 2011 at 08:06 PM
So sad. He had a brilliant career.
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