New Claiborne Stallion Performer Dies

Claiborne announced Nov. 1 that multiple graded stakes winner Performer  has passed away. He was sent to the clinic Friday night and died early Saturday morning from a ruptured stomach.

The 5-year-old son of Speightstown  , from the family of champions Storm Flag Flying and Personal Ensign, was slated to begin his first year at stud in 2022 at the historic Claiborne Farm. Bred in Kentucky by the Phipps Stable, Performer was never off the board in nine starts and earned $420,475 racing in the colors of the Phipps and Claiborne Farm. He won the 2019 Discovery Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct Racetrack, his fourth victory in a win streak of five, and the Fred W. Hooper Stakes (G3) this year at Gulfstream Park. He also finished third in last year's Cigar Mile Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct. Performer was third in his final career start in February, the WinStar Gulfstream Park Mile Stakes (G2). Shug McGaughey trained Performer throughout the chestnut's career.

Performer, out of the grade 2-placed A.P. Indy mare Protesting, was a half brother to stakes winner and multiple graded stakes-placed Breaking the Rules . His second dam, On Parade, was a full sister to champion 2-year-old filly Storm Flag Flying and his third dam, My Flag, was a four-time grade 1 winner and a daughter of champion older mare, Personal Ensign.

He will be buried in the Marchmont cemetery at Claiborne Farm near Paris, Ky.