Champion Queensland stallion Spirit Of Boom has died suddenly at Eureka Stud.
The 18-year-old was about to enter his 13th season at Eureka, however was found dead in his paddock on Wednesday morning from a suspected ruptured bowel.
A statement from Eureka said:
“For the team at Eureka Stud, this is not only the loss of an elite stallion, but of a horse who helped shape the farm's identity and rise within the Australian breeding industry.
“On the racetrack, Spirit of Boom was the ultimate competitor. Precocious enough to win the Listed Ken Russell Memorial Classic as a juvenile, he trained on with remarkable durability and toughness to reach the pinnacle later in life, capturing two Group 1 victories as a six-year-old. His longevity, soundness and will to compete created countless memories for his connections and for trainer Tony Gollan, who guided him throughout his outstanding career.
“Beyond the statistics, Spirit of Boom was a horse with enormous presence and personality, adored by everyone who worked with him daily. He gave owners, breeders, trainers and racing fans unforgettable moments and helped elevate Queensland breeding onto the national stage.
“While his loss leaves a tremendous void, his legacy will live on through his sons and daughters, both on the racetrack and at stud. Fittingly, his Group 1-winning son Jonker will return to Eureka this coming season, ensuring the Spirit of Boom story continues for generations to come.”
Spirit Of Boom was a remarkable racehorse, winning three races at two, including the Ken Russell Memorial (Listed) and raced through until a six-year-old in the care of Tony Gollan, crowning his career with dual Group One wins in the William Reid Stakes and Doomben 10,000.
He finished his career as the winner of nine races, with a further 20 minor placings from 52 starts and $2.43million in prizemoney.
Bred by the McAlpines at Eureka Stud, he had run in their colours, with partners, before retiring to his birthplace where the impact was immediate, producing 18 winners and five stakes winners from his first crop, finishing the season on top of the First Season by Winners list and second on the Earnings list behind Zoustar.
He has been crowned the Champion Queensland Sire four times.
Sired 31 stakes winners including Group I winner Jonker.
Sired over 530 winners at a winners to runners ratio of 71%.
In the current season has so far had 96 winners, including the stakes winners Boomeli and Liquor, and is the leading sire of two year-old winners with eight.
