Veteran Maryland stallion John Alden died suddenly last Saturday after suffering a heart attack in his paddock at Ron and Carolyn Green's Green Willow Farm near Westminster. He was 26.

Bred to only two mares in 1999, John Alden had not covered any mares this season and was "more or less retired," according to Carolyn Green.

The son of Speak John out of Nicoma, by Nashua, sired 20 stakes winners during his career, including graded stakes winners Little Bold John and My Treasure. In addition to those two major winners, John Alden sired stakes winners Run Alden, Sparrowvon, Alden's Ambition, Eta Carinae, Gammy's Alden, and John's Decision. He has progeny earnings of $11,288,907 to date.

Racing from two to ten, Little Bold John compiled a record of 38-16-14 from 105 career starts for $1,956,406 in earnings. His victories included the 1987 Donn Handicap (G2) at Gulfstream Park, '88 Baltimore Breeders' Cup Handicap (G3) at Pimlico, and the '89 John B. Campbell Handicap (G3) at Pimlico.

John Alden topped the 1975 Keeneland September yearling sale when he was purchased by Greentree Stud Inc. for $110,000. During his racing career, John Alden won 6-of-34 starts, including the 1978 Fort McHenry Handicap at Pimlico, and earned $48,623.

John Alden started his stud career in 1980 at Barnesville Thoroughbred Farm near Boyds, Maryland, and stood at various other Mid-Atlantic farms during his career. He stood his first season at Green Willow in 1995.—Tom Law