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Racing Post...
Pursuit Of Love put down after fetlock injury
by Amy Bennett
PURSUIT OF LOVE, broodmare sire of Attraction and Antonius Pius, was put down on Thursday after fracturing a fetlock at Throckmorton Court Stud, his home since 2005. The son of Groom Dancer was 19.
Among his best progeny as a stallion were the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Catchascatchcan, the Dewhurst runner-up Musical Pursuit, smart sprinter Palace Affair, and the Group 3 winners Cupid's Glory, Love Everlasting, and Tartouche.
Pursuit Of Love began his stud career at Plantation Stud, owned by his owner-breeder Lord Howard de Walden, and was leading first season sire in Britain and Ireland in 1996.
In later years he began to make his mark as a broodmare sire with the dual 1,000 Guineas heroine Attraction and mercurial miler Antonius Pius among the best progeny produced by his daughters. Others of note include the Italian 1,000 Guineas winner Windhuk and the Nell Gwyn winner Silca's Gift.
Trained by Henry Cecil, Pursuit Of Love was himself a high-class performer at three. Winner of the European Free Handicap, he next finished thirdto Roderigo de Triano in the 2,000 Guineas, before dropping back in trip to just be short headed by Mr Brooks in the July Cup. Successful in the Group 2 Prix Maurice de Gheest, he also landed the Group 3 Park Stakes.
Out of the Green Dancer mare Dance Quest, he was a half-brother to Divine Danse, winner of the Prix du Gros Chene, and placed in the Cheveley Park Stakes at two. Divine Danse later produced Valentino who was runner-up in the St James's Palace Stakes to Giant's Causeway.
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