Claiborne Farm has announced the death of its homebred sire Pulpit.  The 18-year-old stallion had shown no signs of ill health prior to his demise on Thursday.

“We are all shocked and very sad,” manager Bradley Purcell said.  “Pulpit has meant so much to Claiborne Farm, first as a racehorse and later as a stallion.  Thankfully, we know his legacy will continue on through his sons and daughters.”

Pulpit (A.P. Indy – Preach by Mr. Prospector) won the G2 Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park and G2 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland.  Unfortunately, the colt was injured while finishing fourth in the 1997 Kentucky Derby and entered stud at his birthplace, where he made an immediate mark as a stallion.

Pulpit’s first crop included G2 Super Derby and G2 UAE Derby winner Essence of Dubai, and his next two crops yielded G1 winners Sky Mesa, Stroll, Purge and Tapit.  Long recognized as a stallion with remarkable versatility, Pulpit sired top level two and three-year-olds and older horses, outstanding colts and fillies, as well as runners that have excelled on dirt, turf and synthetic surfaces.

Pulpit has sired 11 Group 1 winners among 63 stakes winners and Purcell confirmed he will be buried at Claiborne Farm.