Influential stallion Forty Niner has succumbed to the infirmities of old according to a tweet from Shigeki Yusa of the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders Association.
Just a week earlier the 35yo son of Mr Prospector was receiving well wishes from around the world on his birthday.
A brilliant 2yo, the Claiborne homebred went on to win the Travers Stakes and Haskell Invitational and was runner-up in the Kentucky Derby behind the filly Winning Colors.
After six years at Claiborne, Forty Niner was sold for $5 million to the JBBAs Shizunai Stallion Station.
Among his 56 black-type winners was the Champion North American stallion Distorted Humor (USA) who was brought to Australia by David Moodie for just two seasons leaving the Group 1 SAJC Australasian Oaks winner Rinky Dink and Listed winner Honest Politician in his first crop and Listed winner Capizzi Strip and Crystal Wit as well as the grand hurdler Some Are Bent in his second.
RIP Fort Niner - few thoroughbreds make it to 35!
