|
25.
Tragic Death
Of Zafonic
|
08/09/2002 |
|
|
|
The
tragic death of Zafonic on Saturday after serving only a few mares at Arrowfield
Stud must surely be testing the resolve of John Messara.
One of the true innovators in an industry more noted for its conservatism
Messara, while not adverse to a few set backs, after all he did bounce back
after losing the incomparable Danehill to Coolmore in a well publicised dispute,
must be wondering just what the leading Scone nursery has done to deserve the
recent tragic chain of events.
The loss of Arrowfield stalwart Snippets was followed by the death of
outstanding young stallion End Sweep in Japan. Arrowfield also had a formed an
alliance with Shadai Farm, sending a selection of quality young mares to be
served by Champion Sunday Silence to Southern hemisphere time. The experiment
has proved a wonderful success with Sunday Silence leading the sire averages at
the Easter Yearling Sale. Shadai were already reeling from the deaths of El
Condor Pasa and End Sweep when Sunday Silence died. Now Zafonic the stallion
sent out to replace End Sweep at Arrowfield has died tragically following a
freak accident.
Winner of the Group 1 Morny, G1 Prix de la Salamandre and Group 1 Dewhurst
Stakes at two, Zafonic smashed the course record as cruised to a 3˝-lengths win
over Barathea in the English 2000 Guineas.
A son of the outstanding Mr. Prospector stallion Gone West out of Group 3 winner
Zaizafon, a daughter of the Epsom Derby winner The Minstrel, Zafonic was
described by Timeform as “a big, strong, imposing colt, a real powerhouse on
looks. Zafonic constantly took the eye and was no less impressive in the canter
to the start, showing a powerful yet wonderfully athletic action.”
A brief statement from Arrowfield said “It is with deep regret that Arrowfield
announce that leading stallion Zafonic (USA) died from injuries incurred in a
freak accident at 12 noon on Saturday 7th of September 2002. The 12-year-old
former European Champion 2 & 3 year old had just commenced his first
Southern Hemisphere stud season and had covered only a handful of mares before
his untimely demise”.
“Obviously we’re deeply shocked at this loss,” said Arrowfield chairman
John Messara. “We had been thrilled to be given the care of this stallion by
Juddmonte Farms for the Southern Hemisphere breeding season.”
By: Mark Smith
|
|
|
