The curtain call of a legend

By Alan Conway

And so the final chapter in the wonderful career of Sadler’s Wells has been written. The wonder stallion passed away in his paddock in Coolmore Stud last evening aged 30. He leaves behind a legacy and a stud record the likes of which we may never see in our lifetime again.

For many Sadler’s Wells will be remembered for his achievements at stud. But people should not forget that he was a tip top racehorse himself. He was bred by Swettenham Stud and he was bred in the purple. He was by the stallion sensation Northern Dancer and was out of a half -sister to another brilliant horse in Nureyev. His breeding entitled him to be a success on the racecourse. He didn’t disappoint. He went into training under the masterful gaze of Vincent O Brien at Ballydoyle.

In his three year old career he landed a hat trick of Group 1 victories. He landed the unique treble of the Irish 2000 Guineas, Coral Eclipse and what is now known as the Irish Champion Stakes. It was his misfortune that he was foaled in the same year as the much vaunted El Gran Senor and he never quite got the credit he deserved for his racecourse exploits. He would gain all the plaudits over the next 20 years however.

At the end of his three year old career he was retired to Coolmore Stud at a fee of Ire125,000 gns. A fee that big put huge pressure on him to be an instant hit at stud. His first crop was a sign of things to come. In that crop would be, in time, six individual Group 1 winners. For many stallions the only way was down after that. Not for Sadler’s Wells.

He went on to smash every record in the breeding business. He sired the winner of every single one of the classics in England and Ireland. He destroyed the great Highflyer’s record of 13 successive sires championships. He was also champion broodmare sire six times.

At the time of his retirement he had sired the winners of 106 Group 1 races in Europe. His sons like Galileo, Montjeu, High Chaparral, Yeats and others have lit up racecourse around Europe over the years and have given us moments that we will treasure forever. And who could forget his triple Champion Hurdler Istabraq.

It is quite fitting that his three highest rated sons, Galileo, Montjeu and High Chaparral are at Coolmore carrying on his legacy. As Christy Grassick put it “He was undoubtedly the best sire Europe has ever seen and through his sons Galileo, Montjeu, High Chaparral and Yeats, along with grandsons Hurricane Run and Rip Van Winkle, he has left a wonderful legacy at Coolmore.”

I had the privilege of meeting the great horse in 2006. The sense of awe and wonderment when I met him was incredible. He is without doubt the greatest stallion of the 21st century. He has changed the landscape of the breeding industry and his legacy will carry on for generations to come. Rest in peace old boy. You will never be forgotten.

By Alan Conway