U.S. Turf Champion Kalanisi Dies at 27

Kalanisi, the Eclipse champion grass horse of 2000 and winner that year of the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T), died at 27, Boardsmill Stud announced May 26. The multiple grade/group 1 winner stood at Boardsmill in County Meath, Ireland, since 2008 having been acquired by the Flood family from his breeder HH Aga Khan. The son of Doyoun originally stood at his breeder's Gilltown Stud after being retired from racing in 2002. He has been retired from stud duties at Boardsmill since 2020 due to fertility issues. Trained by Sir Michael Stoute for most of his career, Kalanisi's biggest victories on the track were in the Champion Stakes (G1) at Newmarket, where he defeated Montjeu in a thrilling finish, and in the Breeders' Cup Turf at Churchill Downs, where he closed strongly from the quarter pole to win in near track record time of 2:26.96. He was ridden by Johnny Murtagh on both occasions. For many, though, his two most memorable races were in defeat where he was involved in two titanic battles with "The Iron Horse" Giant's Causeway in the Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown Park and the International Stakes (G1) at York. He came out the runner-up on both occasions but gained loads of admirers for his never-say-die attitude in both contests. He was crowned European champion older horse at the end of his 4-year-old season. Kalanisi sired a number of stakes winners on the flat from his early crops, including group 3-placed stakes winner Enforce—bred in Kentucky by Juddmonte Farms—but it was over jumps where his stock really flourished. Triumph Hurdle and Champion Hurdle winner Katchit came from his first crop and he added a number of other high-profile jumps winners from his Boardsmill crops. The sire has been more successful as a broodmare sire having been represented by eight graded/group winners, including last year's Prix Jean Romanet (G1) winner Aristia (IRE) (by Starspangledbanner (AUS)) and Roxoterra (BRZ) (Gol Tricolor (BRZ)), who won the 2022 Sao Paulo (G1) in Brazil. William and John Flood said in a statement: "We are sad to announce the passing of our stalwart sire Kalanisi, who died suddenly in his paddock this week. He had been enjoying his well-earned retirement in his paddock here for the past few years. Kalanisi was a real favorite with everyone in the yard and with visitors, too. He was a huge attraction with both racing fans and breeders during the ITM Stallion Trail every year. He has a final crop of 25 3-year-olds, and he has three representatives of this crop on offer at both the Goffs Arkle Sale and also at the Tattersalls Derby Sale."