South Africa lost its second prominent sire in the last week when National Assembly died at Highlands Stud in the Western Cape.  He was 30.

Bred in Ontario, National Assembly cost Robert Sangster and Vincent O’Brien $2.50 million at the 1985 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale but never made it to the races due to injury.

National Assembly (Danzig – Renounce by Buckpasser) has sired 58 stakes winners and bowed out with 2012 Champion 2YO colt Soft Falling Rain in his last crop.  The Mike de Kock trained galloper won the LR Storm Bird Stakes and G1 SA Nursery at Turffontein before training on to land the G2 Godolphin Mile, G3 UAE 2000 Guineas and G2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket last year.

National Assembly (Can) is also the sire of 2006 South African Horse of the Year National Colour, National Currency, National Emblem, Forward Filly, Enchantress, National Bay, Network Edition and Historic Lady.

National Emblem, who died last year, had his own successful stud career siring G1 Al Quoz Sprint winner Shea Shea and domestic champions Nhlavini, Rebel King and Carnadore.

Last Thursday, Wilgerbosdrift Stud stallion Tiger Ridge succumbed to a heart attack aged 18.

Tiger Ridge (USA) sired Group 1 winner Wagner and 2013 Triple Tiara Champion Cherry On The Top.  He was a Storm Cat half-brother to Champion USA sire A P Indy.

A second Canadian bred sire also died earlier this week when Wando passed away at Schonberg Farm in Ontario.  He was 14.

Wando (Langfuhr) swept the 2005 Canadian Triple Crown and had built up a 70% winning strike-rate from his first 100 starters.  The best of his stock to date has been G1 Woodbine Mile winner Turallure.