Westbury Stud today announced with great sadness the passing of high-class racehorse and outstanding sire Reliable Man, who was humanely euthanised on veterinary advice due to post-surgical complications following the removal of a melanoma.
The sire of 29 stakes winners to date — including four individual Group 1 winners — Reliable Man was unbeaten in his first three career starts, highlighted by a dominant victory in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby).
By Dalakhani out of the Sadler’s Wells mare On Fair Stage, Reliable Man was bred and initially raced by Sven and Carina Hanson. They were later joined in ownership by Rob Ferguson, Gurner’s Bloodstock, Gerard Peterson’s G G Ltd, and Rod Duke.
Transferred to the stable of Chris Waller in 2012, Reliable Man raced twice in Australia, with his final start producing a resounding victory in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.
From 14 career starts, Reliable Man recorded five wins and three placings. He also produced notable fourth-place finishes in the Group 1 Prince of Wales’s Stakes and the Group 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Ascot, competing against elite international fields.
At stud, Reliable Man continued his elite performance with outstanding success as a stallion, siring Group 1 winners in both hemispheres. His four individual Group 1 winners include three elite Oaks winners across Australia, Germany, and New Zealand.
His 29 stakes winners include VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound, New Zealand Oaks winner Sentimental Miss, Preis der Diana (German Oaks) winner Erle, and Railway Stakes winner Inspirational Girl. Other Group performers include Annavisto, Ardakan, Belle du Nord, Benaud, and Hypnos, all of whom were placed at the highest level, alongside Aalaalune and Sully. Additional southern hemisphere stakes winners include million-dollar earner Lekvarte, Renaissance Woman, Reliable Team, De La Terre, Kinane, Essonne, Nest Egg, Main Stage, and Counties Cup winner Final Return.
Boasting an exceptional pedigree and race record, Reliable Man also achieved early success as a broodmare sire. His daughters have already produced 41 winners, including stakes winner Matahga, Group 1-placed Scary, and Group 3-placed Prochester.
Reliable Man’s legacy as both an elite racehorse and an influential stallion will have a lasting impact on the global thoroughbred industry.
