Retired Bearstone Stud Stallion Firebreak Dies at 21

Bearstone Stud announced Feb. 3 its group 1-winning miler Firebreak died Feb. 3 aged 21 following deterioration in his health.

The son of Charnwood Forest, who had been living out his retirement on the farm, had served at Bearstone since he finished racing.

Firebreak, who won the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (G2) and Prix de Cabourg (G3) as a 2-year-old for Andrew Balding and Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, was sold to Godolphin and under the care of Saeed bin Suroor won the Godolphin Mile (G2) in 2003 and 2004 before finishing his career by winning the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile (G1) as a 5-year-old. He has a race named after him at the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Although he never covered large books of mares during his time at stud, he sired four stakes winners on the flat, the best of which being the Pat Eddery-trained Hearts of Fire, who took the Gran Criterium (G1) in Italy as a juvenile.

Fire Ship raided the Prix Quincey Lucien Barriere (G3) when with William Knight while Caledonia Lady, a listed winner for Jo Hughes, was sold to continue her breeding career in Japan.

Two years ago the farm announced that he was to be pensioned.

"It's a very sad day at Bearstone Stud, as we have had to say goodbye to Firebreak," Bearstone's owner Terry Holdcroft said. "We were very lucky that Sheikh Mohammed, who has always owned him, allowed us to stand him at Bearstone. We bred a group 1 winner by him in Hearts of Fire from his first crop and he was an absolute pleasure to have around. He never received the mares he deserved. We will all miss him."