Angels In Memorium, 2012

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Major Stallion Grand Slam Dies
By Blood-Horse Staff

Posted: Sunday, April 1, 2012 1:51 PM


Grand Slam , who is represented by four 3-year-old stakes winners in 2012, died March 31 at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky., as a result of heart failure.

Commenting on his sudden death, Ashford manager Dermot Ryan said, “Grand Slam was a pleasure to have here, and he was very popular with breeders as he sired nearly 800 winners and has progeny earnings of over $64 million. It’s a sad day for the staff here who worked with him and for all the partners who were involved with the horse and who have always been fantastic to deal with.”

Grand Slam, who was produced from the stakes-winning El Gran Senor mare Bright Candles, is represented by 73 stakes winners including Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) winner Cajun Beat, Saratoga grade I winner Visionaire, Japanese group I winner Café Olympus, and this year’s Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) contender Millionreasonswhy.

Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, the 17-year-old son of Gone West raced for Robert and Christina Baker, William Mack, and David Cornstein. As a juvenile he won the Futurity Stakes (gr. I) and the Champagne Stakes (gr. I). At 3, he won the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) and placed in five graded stakes including the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.



Copyright © 2012 Blood-Horse Publications. All rights reserved internationally.

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ShopBarn Fire in Florida Kills Nine Horses
By Blood-Horse Staff
Updated: Sunday, April 1, 2012 7:07 PM


Nine horses died April 1 in a barn fire at McKathan Farm and Training Center near Reddick, Fla., according to a story on the Ocala Star-Banner newspaper’s website (www.ocala.com). Luke and Jocelyn McKathan own the 62-acre operation.

The cause of the fire isn’t known, Jessica Greene, a spokeswoman for Marion County Fire Rescue told the publication. Firefighters received a telephone call reporting the blaze at 10:31 a.m. (EDT) and arrived at the farm at 10:40 a.m. The Star-Banner reported that 75% of the barn was engulfed in flames by then. The fire was under control by 11:08 a.m.

Based on other information in the story, the horses belonged to the McKathans and not to any of their clients. A neighbor was able to free three horses in the burning barn, but they were injured. One farm worker was injured slightly, suffering first-degree burns, according to Greene.






Copyright © 2012 Blood-Horse Publications. All rights reserved internationally.