One-time Vinery shuttler Marquetry died on Friday at the Old Friends Retirement Home in Kentucky.  Aged 26, he was put down after suffering a stable accident.

“Our assistant manager Kent Ralstin discovered the injury early and, because of his quick thinking, Marquetry didn’t suffer,” Old Friends founder Michael Blowen said.  “We have, and will, retire many great horses but none will ever take his place.”

Marquetry (Conquistador Cielo – Regent’s Walk by Vice Regent) was bred at Juddmonte Farms and claimed G1 victories in the 1991 Hollywood Gold Cup, 1992 Eddie Read Hcp and 1993 Meadowlands Cup.

A flashy chestnut, he retired Vinery Kentucky and subsequently stood at Stonewall Farms in Florida prior to being pensioned in 2010 due to declining fertility.

Although Marquetry won at up to 2000 metres, he had the speed to equal the 1300m course record on Santa Anita’s downhill turf course.  He passed on that brilliance to his two best sons – Breeders’ Cup Sprint winners Artax (1999) and Squirtle Squirt (2001).

Marquetry shuttled to Vinery Australia in 2000 and the best of his 15 Australian winners was Stella Grande (G2 STC Tulloch Stakes).