Juddmonte Group 1 Winner, Sire Observatory Dies at 22
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Photo: Courtesy Juddmonte Farms
Observatory at Banstead Manor Stud
Group 1 winner and champion 3-year-old miler Observatory has died at the age of 22, Juddmonte Farms announced Dec. 12. Observatory lived at Banstead Manor Stud for the past 18 years.
The Juddmonte homebred son of Distant View out of the Roberto stakes winner Stellaria was a four-time group stakes winner, whose top victory came in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (G1) at Ascot. Observatory's six wins out of 10 starts also included the Prix d'Ispahan (G1) at Longchamp, the Theo Fennell Lennox Stakes (G3) at Goodwood, and the Jersey Stakes (G3) at Royal Ascot.
As a stallion, Observatory sired one of Juddmonte's most popular and enduring runners, Twice Over, who won four group 1 stakes among the 20 graded/group stakes in which he won or placed on his way to earning more than $4 million. Twice Over went to stud in South Africa in 2013 and has been represented by three group stakes winners and 2018 South African champion 3-year-old male Do It Again.
Other top runners by Observatory include group 1 sprinter African Rose, group 3 winners Violette and Helleborine, and group-placed and multiple listed stakes winner Sottone.
African Rose went on to produce Fair Eva, who became the first group winner for Juddmonte's homebred champion and rising sire Frankel when she won the 2016 Juddmonte Princess Margaret Stakes (G3) at Ascot. Helleborine became the dam of Coventry Stakes (G2) winner Calyx.
Observatory has been represented by four other group winners as a broodmare sire, including group 1 winners Epicuris, by Rail Link, and Vorda, by Orpen.
"Observatory possessed the most wonderful nature and character; he was an absolute delight to have around the stallion yard, and even in retirement he played an integral role within the team," said Juddmonte's U.K. stud director Simon Mockridge. "Our most enduring memory will be his stunning defeat of the 'Iron Horse' Giant's Causeway in the QEII at Ascot, a memorable ride by Kevin Darley bringing him wide in the home straight for victory. He will be sorely missed by all at Juddmonte."