Report: Stallion Air Support Dies From Bee Attack
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Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Air Support in 2010 at Churchill Downs
U.S. graded stakes winner Air Support was one of two stallions who died in India last week after "thousands of bees" attacked them at India's Kunigal Stud Farm, the Times of India reported. Air Support was 15.
10-year-old Sanus Per Aquam , who raced in Ireland and England before his import to India, was the other stallion who perished from the attack by a swarm of bees, which officials speculate may have been disturbed by activity outside the stud farm property, according to the Times of India. Efforts from veterinarians and staff to save the stallions were in vain, the publication added.
A turf-specializing son of Smart Strike owned and bred by Stuart Janney III, Air Support won five of 21 races and $937,619 for Hall of Fame trainer Shug McGaughey. Winner of the 2010 Pilgrim Stakes (G3T) at Belmont Park at age 2, Air Support added the Transylvania Stakes (G3T) at Keeneland and the Virginia Derby (G2T) at Colonial Downs in 2011 at 3, and went on to win the 2012 Bowling Green Stakes (G2T) at Belmont Park as a 4-year-old. He was imported to India in 2014 after a winless five-race campaign in 2013.
Sanus Per Aquam, a Teofilo horse, was a grade 3 winner in Ireland for trainer Jim Bolger, who also bred him. Sanus Per Aquam raced for Mrs. Jim Bolger.