Well-related New Zealand stallion El Hermano has lost a long battle with a hoof injury.
Cheval Stud's Frank Drummond confirmed on Thursday that the unraced brother to the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) winner El Segundo had been humanely put down, aged 12.
El Hermano sired Group Two winners, Farm Boy and Underthemoonlight, as well as Group One-placed El Pescado and El Pistola from a limited book of mares.
He suffered a life-threatening hoof injury while he was getting broken in as a two-year-old, but co-breeder and owner Philip Brown was insistent that the colt, which had made $500,000 as a yearling in Sydney, be saved.
"Unfortunately those hoof problems finally caught up with him," Drummond said. That foot was always going to be his nemesis.
"It had just got to the point where it was affecting his quality of life and we didn't want to see him suffer so we did what we had to do."
El Hermano began his stud career at a service fee of $500 + GST and such was the demand for his progeny that his fee rose to $4000 + GST.
His demise also sees the end of Cheval Stud with Drummond and his wife Faye selling their Pukeatua property. – NZ Racing Desk,
