Champion Queensland stallion Spirit Of Boom has died unexpectedly at the age of 18, Eureka Stud announced May 6.
Having been set to enter his 13th season at Eureka, the son of Sequalo was found dead in his paddock Wednesday morning from a suspected ruptured bowel.
Bred by the McAlpines at Eureka, Spirit Of Boom was a listed winner as a juvenile on the track and would go on to land two group 1 wins in the 2014 William Reid Stakes (G1) and Doomben Ten Thousand (G1) for trainer Tony Gollan, racing until he was a 6-year-old.
He finished his career as the winner of nine races, with a further 20 minor placings from 52 starts and more than AU$2.4 million in prize money.
As a stallion, the son of Sequalo was crowned the champion Queensland sire four times and has sired 32 individual stakes winners to date—including group 1 winner Jonker.
"For the team at Eureka Stud, this is not only the loss of an elite stallion, but of a horse who helped shape the farm's identity and rise within the Australian breeding industry," a statement from Eureka read.
"On the racetrack, Spirit Of Boom was the ultimate competitor. Precocious enough to win the listed Ken Russell Memorial Classic as a juvenile, he trained on with remarkable durability and toughness to reach the pinnacle later in life, capturing two group 1 victories as a 6-year-old. His longevity, soundness, and will to compete created countless memories for his connections and for trainer Tony Gollan, who guided him throughout his outstanding career.
"Beyond the statistics, Spirit Of Boom was a horse with enormous presence and personality, adored by everyone who worked with him daily. He gave owners, breeders, trainers, and racing fans unforgettable moments and helped elevate Queensland breeding onto the national stage.
"While his loss leaves a tremendous void, his legacy will live on through his sons and daughters, both on the racetrack and at stud. Fittingly, his group 1-winning son Jonker will return to Eureka this coming season, ensuring the Spirit Of Boom story continues for generations to come."
Meanwhile, Gollan also posted a statement via X, saying: "Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of stable legend Spirit Of Boom.
"A truly remarkable racehorse, his wins included the Gr 1 William Reid and Doomben 10,000 in a career that spanned success from a 2YO to 6YO. Words cannot describe the impact that he has had on our stable. RIP."
