Tragedy Strikes: Melbourne Cup Hero’s Sire, St Jean, Dies Unexpectedly
The racing world is mourning the loss of St Jean, the sire of recent Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours. News of his passing comes just three weeks after his son’s historic victory at Flemington, a win that was beginning to elevate St Jean’s profile as a breeding stallion.
Grant and Joanne Dwyer, owners of Brackley Park in Avenel, Victoria, where St Jean resided, confirmed the heartbreaking news on Thursday. The circumstances surrounding his death were sudden and deeply unfortunate.
A Sudden and Untimely End
St Jean appeared to be in good health after covering a mare, Memory Lane, on November 24th. However, the following morning, staff discovered the stallion had tragically run into a fence post.
* The impact shattered his near-side front leg around the elbow.
* Veterinarian Dr. Duncan Pearce resolute the injury was irreparable.
* Consequently, the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize St Jean.
“It is with great sadness that I wish to announce the passing of our beloved Stallion St. Jean,” Dwyer stated. “His death was very untimely as breeders were only starting to recognize what an incredible pedigree this stallion had.”
From Obscurity to Possibility
For years, St Jean hadn’t enjoyed widespread demand as a stallion. But Half Yours’ remarkable success - earning $8.7 million since October – dramatically changed the landscape.You’ll find that breeders began to take notice, and requests for his services increased significantly.
Consequently, his breeding fee was reportedly on the rise. This surge in interest was especially exciting given the potential for future champions.
* He was scheduled to cover a mare by Desert King, mirroring the successful cross that produced Half Yours.
* Five mares by Desert King were booked for this season.
* A total of 35 mares had confirmed bookings.
“Bookings had started to pick up,” Dwyer explained, “and he was due to cover a mare by Desert King that afternoon, which would have given the same cross as Half Yours.”
A Lost Pedigree
The loss of St Jean represents a important blow to the Australian breeding industry. While not a household name, his lineage held considerable promise. You can appreciate that his untimely death cuts short a potential legacy just as it was beginning to blossom.
Dwyer emphasized the stallion’s untapped potential, stating, “He was due to cover five mares by Desert King this season, and had bookings of 35 mares in total.” The racing community shares in their grief, recognizing the loss of a stallion with a bright future.
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