Heart attack claims Spartacus

Cangon Stud has reported the death of its Irish bred sire Spartacus.  The 12 year old son of Danehill passed away after suffering a ruptured aorta last week.

Spartacus was standing his first season at season at the Dungog (NSW) nursery after crossing the Tasman from The Oaks in Cambridge.  “It’s a huge loss for all of us,” Cangon studmaster Jaime Mackay said.  “He had been so well received by breeders and he had so much to offer.”

Spartacus (Ire) was raced by Coolmore to Group 1 victories in the Irish Phoenix Stakes and Italian Gran Criterium.  He originally shuttled to The Oaks in 2004 and was New Zealand’s champion first-season sire in 2007-08 and champion second-season sire in 2008-09.

Mackay stood Spartacus for a $5,500 (inc gst) alongside Nothin Leica Dane (Danehill), Recapitalize (Royal Academy) and Sea Battle (Quest for Fame).