Top Sprinter X Y Jet Dies From Heart Attack

X Y Jet, a son of Kantharos  whose finest moment came with a sharp victory in the 2019 Dubai Golden Shaheen Stakes Sponsored by Gulf News (G1), has died, according to a statement from trainer Jorge Navarro.

The 8-year-old gelding, who earned more than $3 million in purses in his 26 starts, suffered a heart attack Jan. 8, Navarro said.

"With deep regret, I am sorry to notify you that X Y Jet died this morning as a result of a heart attack," the trainer's statement read. "X Y Jet was more than a horse on my trained list. (He) was the one that took us through a wonderful and exciting roller coaster of emotions. He always fought against adversity and despite the injuries that affected him during his career, he always brought out that kind of champion he was."

X Y Jet, who first raced for Gelfenstein Farm and later was campaigned in partnership by that entity and Rockingham Ranch, returned from multiple knee surgeries to compete at the highest level throughout his career. Before his Golden Shaheen score, he ran narrow seconds in that race in 2018 and 2016. His final start, for which David Bernsen joined the ownership roster, resulted in a sixth in the Dec. 21 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.

Bred in Florida by Didier Plasencia out of the Lost Soldier mare Soldiersingsblues, X Y Jet sold to Antonio Sano for $56,000 at the 2013 Ocala Breeders' Sales August Yearlings Sale. The striking gray ran through his first six starts for Sano before he was moved to Navarro's barn at the end of November 2014.

X Y Jet notched his first stakes score in the 2015 edition of the Mr. Prospector, won the 2016 Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes and the Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes (G3), and came back to win the Mr. Prospector again in 2017—his lone start that season. He returned to win the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes at the beginning of 2018, one of four starts that year, capped by a victory in the Smile Sprint Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream in June of 2018. He went to the sideline again until the beginning of 2019, then set himself up for his biggest score with an allowance win at Gulfstream in February before his March journey to Dubai.

ANGST: Third Time the Charm in Golden Shaheen for X Y Jet

"Beyond the racetrack, XY Jet (became) part of my family, was like the older brother of my children, and of course, that affection extended to all those who in one way or another related to this swift, moody, but noble racehorse," Navarro stated.

"Since his arrival at my stable at the end of 2014, I immediately felt that connection with him, which remained until today and will surely remain with me until the day of my departure. I owe X Y Jet so much, that I'm sure there are no words that can specify my thanks to his nobility and class, I do not say goodbye to a horse, I say goodbye to a friend that I will carry forever in my heart.

"Keep running fast to your next destination, X Y Jet."