Linamix Dies At 29

Nine years after being retired from covering duties, Linamix (Fr) (Mendez {Fr}) has died at the Aga Khan Studs in Normandy at the age of 29.

Winner of the 1990 G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains for Jean-Luc Lagardere and trainer Francois Boutin, Linamix began his stud career at his owner-breeder's Haras du Val Henry the following season and took little time in establishing himself at the forefront of the French stallion ranks. The eight black-type performers from his first crop included Lagardere's G1 Prix Jacques le Marois winner Miss Satamixa (Fr).

Among the Group 1 winners to follow were the 1996 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Sagamix (Fr), Cherry Mix (Fr), Slickly (Fr), Vahorimix (Fr), Reefscape (GB) and Alpine Rose (Fr). In March 2012, Manighar (Fr) became Linamix's 13th winner at the highest level when extending his influence to the Southern Hemisphere in landing the G1 Australian Cup at Flemington – the first of three top-flight wins for the Aga Khan-bred gelding.

Linamix was the sole stallion among the 222 horses bought in 2005 by the Aga Khan – along with Haras du Val Henry – two years after Lagardere's death. He continued on the Aga Khan Studs roster for another two years until his retirement at 20.

His sons still on active duty at stud include Reefscape's full-brother and Group 2 winner Martaline (GB), Slickly (Fr), Al Namix (Fr), and first-season sire Rajsaman (Fr) in France, while Carlotamix (Fr) stands in Ireland, Fair Mix (Ire) is in England and Sagamix is at Jalobey Stud in Morocco.

Linamix's reputation has been further enhanced by his daughters and among a host of Pattern winners of which he is broodmare sire are Shadwell's young stallion Muhaarar (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), as well as G1 Prix Royal-Oak winner Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}), the half-brothers Ectot (GB) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) and Most Improved (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), and Classic-winning fillies Valyra (GB) (Azamour {Ire}), Natagora (Fr) (Divine Light {JPN}) and Blue Bunting (Dynaformer).