European Champ Rodrigo de Triano Dies at 25
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European champion and dual classic winner Rodrigo de Triano has died of pneumonia at age 25 in Japan, where he stood during his stallion career.
The Kentucky-bred son of El Gran Senor—Hot Princess, by Hot Spark, was Europe's champion 3-year-old male of 1992 following victories in the General Accident Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I), Airlie Coolmore Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire-I), Dubai Champion Stakes (Eng-I), and Juddmonte International (Eng-I) for owner Robert Sangster and trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam.
An outstanding 2-year-old as well, Rodrigo de Triano went undefeated in five starts that included the Newgate Stud Middle Park Stakes (Eng-I) and Laurent-Perrier Champagne Stakes (Eng-II). He was the highweighted colt on the 1991 English Free Handicap.
Overall, Rodrigo de Triano won nine of 13 career starts and earned $1,354,192. Chapple-Hyam regards him as the standout horse of his 23-year training career.
"Without a shadow of a doubt, he was the best horse I've ever trained—and the best horse I probably will train," he told England's Press Association.
"He wasn't very big, but he was unbelievably tough and he had an unbelievably big heart. He meant so much to me and I was privileged to have been with him throughout his career."
Bred by Sangster's Swettenham Stud, Rodrigo de Triano was a half brother to two stakes winners in Cedrela and Modigliani. His dam, Hot Princess, was group II-placed stakes winner in Ireland and stakes-placed in the U.S.
Rodrigo de Triano was sold to stand at JBBA Kyushu Stallion Station. His top offspring among 15 stakes performers from 19 crops includes 1998 Yuhsun Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner Erimo Excel. He also shuttled in 1997/1998 to Glenmorgan Stud in New Zealand.
His final crop of three registered foals are 2-year-olds this year.
"I didn't think his death would affect me quite like it has done," Chapple-Hyam said. "I'm actually quite upset about it and will raise something in his honor tonight. He'll never be forgotten."