Breeders' Cup Sprint Winner Elmhurst Dies at 31

Elmhurst , winner of the 1997 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1), died Jan. 4 due to heart failure, Our Mims Retirement Haven in Paris, Ky., announced. He was 31.

The son of Wild Again—Mimbet, by Raise a Native, arrived at the Haven Nov. 1, 2011, after a 51-race career. His 8-11-6 record included the Breeders' Cup victory at Hollywood Park along with wins in the Ancient Title Breeders' Cup Handicap (G3) at Santa Anita Park and the Flying Continental Handicap at Hollywood. He earned $1,100,567.

Elmhurst's second dam was Our Mims, Calumet Farm's champion mare and namesake for the Haven.

Calumet Farm bred Elmhurst in Kentucky and the gelding began his race career in France before returning to the United States. Back stateside, he was campaigned by Evergreen Farm and trainer Jenine Sahadi.

Born on Valentine's Day in 1990, Elmhurst was crowned the "King of Hearts" and quickly became a favorite with the ladies and people who came to visit, according to Our Mims.

The Haven's owner and president Pete Mirabito commented: "Thank you, 'Elmo,' for filling my wife, Jeanne's, heart with joy."

Jeanne Mirabito, the founder of Our Mims Retirement Haven, died Aug. 5 last year.

"'Mo' was truly one of a kind," said Ann Cheek, the Haven's vice president. "A real ladies man. I will miss his flirty ways and sweet whisper nickers."

Sidna Madden, director of development, noted: "Elmhurst was an amazing guy—a true gentleman that embodied everything I love about Thoroughbreds. He proudly helped carry the name of the Haven in memoriam of his granddam, Our Mims. I will certainly miss his antics, along with his loving spirit too, but it brings a smile to my face knowing he and Jeanne, along with Our Mims and all the other ladies of the Haven that have gone before him, are now all reunited. His longevity is also a true testament to the care that all of the horses at the Haven receive."

After being cremated, Elmhurst will be laid to rest in the farm's Invincible Spirit cemetery.