French Classic Winner Soviet Star Dead at 30
Description:
French classic winner and prominent sire Soviet Star died Oct. 7 at Ballylinch Stud in Ireland. He was 30.
The son of Nureyev—Veruschka, by Venture, passed away in his paddock in the company of his longtime companion, Bertie the goat. The two have been inseparable for the last several years.
"He was a lovely, kind horse and it was a privilege to have had him here at the stud," Ballylinch managing director John O'Connor said of Soviet Star, who was bred in Kentucky by Kinderhill and Aron Associates.
Soviet Star was among the best of a number of elite milers by Nureyev. He won five group I races, including the 1987 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas), Prix de la Foret, and Swettenham Stud Sussex Stakes, and 1988 July Cup and Prix du Moulin de Longchamp. Overall, he posted an 8-4-0 record from 14 starts for Sheikh Mohammed and trainer Andre Fabre.
In 1989 Soviet Star was retired to Sheikh Mohammed's Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket. He was then sold to Japan in 1994 after which Ballylinch repatriated him to Europe. He sired a number of top-level winners, including Ashkalani, Limpid, Soviet Line, Starborough, Australian champion Starcraft, and Pressing as well as 1995 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) runner-up Freedom Cry. Overall, he sired 43 stakes winners from 23 crops of racing age. His progeny have amassed purses totaling $52,019,510 through Oct. 6.
Soviet Star also was effective as a broodmare sire, with his daughters having produced such group I winners as Silvester Lady, Soviet Song, and Wizz Kid.
A $310,000 weanling purchase by the British Bloodstock Agency at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, Soviet Star was offered by Mill Ridge Farm as agent for his breeder. He was a three-quarters brother to grade I winner The Very One.