Darley's Lammtarra Dies at Age 22
Description:
Sheikh Mohammed's Darley operation has announced that Lammtarra, an undefeated classic winner, was euthanized at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, England, July 6 following a short illness
An English and French champion, Lammtarra raced for Sheikh Mohammed's nephew, Saeed Maktoum al Maktoum, whose father, Sheikh Maktoum, bred Lammtarra in the name of his Gainsborough Farm.
A stakes winner in his only start at 2, Lammtarra won the 1995 Vodafone Epsom Derby (Eng-I), King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes (Eng-I), and the Trusthouse Forte Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I), becoming only the second horse after Mill Reef in 1971 to win those three races in one year.
By winning the Epsom Derby, Lammtarra became the first Derby winner produced from winners of Epsom's classics. His sire, Nijinsky II, had won the Epsom Derby, and his dam, Snow Bride (by Blushing Groom), was awarded the Gold Seal Epsom Oaks (Eng-I) following the disqualification of Aliysa.
Undefeated in four starts, Lammtarra was retired to Dalham Hall Stud at the end of 1995 and was bred to a full book of mares before being sold the following year to stand in Japan. The horse returned to Dalham Hall in 2006 to live out his retirement. He sired seven stakes winners and seven stakes-placed runners.
"Lammtarra was a horse that was very close to Sheikh Mohammed's heart. He was very intelligent, a true gentleman and never gave anyone a moment's trouble," said Liam O'Rourke, Darley's stud director, said. "Sadly, this was his time to go and we are pleased that he passed away comfortably. He will be missed by everyone here at Dalham."