Faltaat found dead at Westbury Stud

Mr Prospector stallion Faltaat was found dead in his paddock at Westbury Stud on Saturday.

General manager Russell Warwick said the 23 year-old stallion had been like a piece of the furniture at Westbury.  “It’s very sad to see him go.  He was happy when some people were here on Friday so it couldn’t have happened more quickly or unexpectedly.  He didn’t suffer.”

Faltaat (USA) was one of New Zealand’s longest-serving stallions.  He was Champion UAE Sprinter before Dubai came on to the world stage and retired to Westbury in 1996 as a six-year-old.

“He shuttled to the United States but didn’t cope so we were fortunate enough to be able to buy him outright in 2000,” Warwick recalled.  “We had a few issues with laminitis but the last 12 months were really good.”

Faltaat has sired 21 stakes winners and was twice crowned Champion New Zealand Sire.  There have been 21 stakes winners topped by Horse of the Year Tit For Tat and Group 1 winners Sedecrem Taatletail, Jurys Out, Miss Raggedy Ann and Sight Winner.

“He also sired Little Bridge who became the first NZ-bred Group 1 winner at Royal Ascot last year,” Warwick said.  “Faltaat has 19 mares due to foal so the final chapter might not have been written yet.”