German Stallion Lord Of England Dies at Age 18

In another big blow for the German breeding industry, Lord Of England (GER), sire of this year's Preis der Diana-German Oaks (G1) winner Palmas (GER) and other celebrities such as German Derby (G1) hero Isfahan (GER), has died at the age of 18 due to a heart problem. The son of Dashing Blade had stood at Gestut Etzean since his retirement to the stallion ranks in 2007, siring 38 stakes performers to date including Palmas, Isfahan, another Preis der Diana scorer in Feodora and Premio Federico Tesio winner Stex among 12 individual group winners. Isfahan has gotten off to a promising start to his stud career having sired this year's German Derby victor Sisfahan (GER). Bred by Stall Pontresini, Lord Of England captured the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis (G1) and Grosser Preis der Wirtschaft (G3) as a 3-year-old. The chestnut retired with four wins and three placings from seven starts and earnings of $281,575. In the Oct. 10 Preis des Winterfavoriten (G3), the German equivalent of the Dewhurst Stakes (G1), Sea Bay (GER), a son of Lord Of England's winning daughter Strawberry, strolled to a nine-length victory. While Torquator Tasso (GER) raised his nation's racing spirits this month by winning the Arc, the German breeding industry earlier this year lost another top stallion in Adlerflug, sire of last year's German Derby winner and Arc runner-up In Swoop (GER), at the age of 17.