West Australian champion sire Blackfriars (Aus) (Danehill–Kensington Gardens {NZ}, by Grosvenor {NZ}) was euthanised after breaking a shoulder following colic surgery, Scenic Lodge announced last Friday. He was 21. Bred and raced by Robert Sangster's Swettenham Stud and trained by Peter Hayes, the 1999 G1 Victoria Derby hero and G3 Norman Robinson S. winner earned $516,871 during a 13-race career.
“He was a true gentleman and loved by all,” said Scenic Lodge's Jeremy Smith. “We are all in shock. He's been part of the place for 17 years. He was in such good health and was never an ounce of trouble.”
Purchased from Sangster for stallion duty at Scenic Lodge, Blackfriars proved up to the task, and has captured the last six West Australia sires' premierships. Best known as the sire of MG1SW Black Heart Bart (Aus), Blackfriars celebrated his 400th individual winner at Bunbury on Dec. 17. He is also the sire of MG1SW Playing God (Aus) among his 11 group scorers and 36 total black-type winners.
“He did it the hard way,” said Smith. “We had to get right behind him and, apart from being a champion, he was also just a lovely horse.”
Out of the G1 AJC Oaks third-place finisher Kensington Gardens, Blackfriars was also a full-brother to G1 SA Oaks heroine Larrocha (Aus) (Danehill); GSW Manton (Aus) (Danehill); MSW Waterford Road (Aus) (Danehill); and SW Lions Gate (Aus) (Danehill). The bay covered 90 mares at Scenic Lodge this season, and there are also 62 foals of from the current foaling season.
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