South Africa's four-time champion stallion Dynasty (SAf) (Fort Wood-Blakes Affair {SAf}, by Commodore Blake {GB}), who stood at Ridgemont Highlands and recently underwent colic surgery, has passed away due to illness confirmed bloodstock consultant John Freeman to Turf Talk on Monday. The South African Horse of the Year and champion sophomore colt was 19 and had stood for a private fee in 2018.
Bred by Wilgerbosdrift Stud and a R475,000 graduate of the 2001 BSA National Yearling Sale when picked up by Freeman, the bay would go on to carry the silks of Fieldspring Racing. A debut juvenile winner at Greyville in June of 2002, the Dean Kannemeyer trainee would come into his own at three, taking seven of his nine starts including the G1 Vodacom Durban July H., G1 Cape Derby, G1 South African Guineas and the G1 Daily News 2000. He also filled the runner-up spot in the 2003 G1 Cape Argus Guineas and was third in the 2004 G1 Queen's Plate, his final start. All told, Dynasty retired with a record of 12-9-2-1 and earnings of $272,112.
A full-brother to South African Grade 2 winner Love Apple (SAf), MGSP Clandestine (SAf) and G1 Gold Cup bridesmaid Sequoia (SAf), Dynasty earned four Equus Outstanding Sire titles in 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2017. Credited with 15 Grade 1 winners amongst his 63 black-type scorers, Dynasty sired a trio of Equus Horses of the Year: Irish Flame (SAf) (2010), Legislate (SAf) (2014) and Futura (SAf) (2015).
“If anyone could have the rare privilege of being associated with just one horse like Dynasty in a lifetime, you can say you have been truly blessed,” Freeman, who managed Dynasty's career at stud, told Turf Talk. “He was the ultimate Thoroughbred in temperament and ability, a one of a kind stallion. If just one of his sons at stud could follow in his footsteps, or be half as good, my own life will be complete. They can put me in a box and send me off.”
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