Sudden Passing of Sebring

Tara Madgwick - Saturday February 23
Widden Stud are in mourning tonight following the passing of Golden Slipper winning sire Sebring, who died quietly of a heart attack on Saturday afternoon.

Vale, SebringBought for $130,000 from the Magic Million in 2007 by Denise Martin's Star Thoroughbreds, Sebring was the syndicators dream horse come true. Prepared by Gai Waterhouse, Sebring won five of six starts including the Group I ATC Golden Slipper and Sires' Produce Stakes to be crowned Champion 2YO of 2007/2008.

Bred by George Altomonte of Corumbene Stud, Sebring earned in excess of $2.5 million in prizemoney for his adoring owners before embarking on a lucrative stud career at Widden that would prove every bit as successful as his racetrack achievements.

"Sebring was the horse of a lifetime, as a racehorse and a stallion, he changed lives," said Antony Thompson.

"It's been a great privilege to stand him at Widden and we are incredibly grateful to everyone that has supported him throughout his career and given him the opportunity to succeed in the way that he has.

"It's because of you, the breeders, that we can make these young colts into champion sires and we thank everyone wholeheartedly for showing the same faith in him that we had."

Sebring is the sire of 51 stakes-winners headed by Group I stars Dissident, Criterion, Egg Tart, Lucky Bubbles and Amphitrite with overall progeny earnings topping $67million.

"Sebring was a horse with a great personality and character, who touched all of those around him," Thompson reflected.

"He was fun, energetic and playful which is how we will remember him.

"His influence will no doubt be felt for many years into the future and we look forward to seeing the legacy he leaves through his sons and daughters in generations to come."

Sebring was at the very height of his stud career having sired seven stakes-winners this season and nearly 100 winners of close to $6million in prizemoney and covered 199 mares last year at a fee of $66,000.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Helsinge Family Strikes Again in G1 Champagne
From a clear last at the top of the straight to what seemed an unlikely first at the winning post, exciting Brutal colt Nepotism produced a scintillating performance to win the $1million Group I ATC Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Doctor Askar Wins G3 Easter Handicap
Saturday’s Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie capped a rapid and popular rise to stardom for Waverley visitor Doctor Askar.
Melbourne Cup Winning Trainer Secures $625,000 Sebring Colt
Widden Stud’s much missed Sebring achieved his best result of the sale so far at Magic Millions on Friday when a stunning colt from Miss Rose de Lago fetched $625,000 to the bid of Danny O’Brien.
Yulong Chasing Another Oaks with Movin Out
Kiwi-bred filly Movin Out made a successful switch from Sydney racing to a tilt at Victorian riches when she came from well back to race to a dominant victory in the $150,000 Mornington Guineas (1600m) on Saturday.
Best On Breeding
It's an embarrassment of three-year-old riches for Godolphin with In Secret and Golden Mile favoured to fight out Saturday's $1,000,000 Group 1 Golden Rose at Rosehill a week after Aft Cabin went to the head of betting for the Caulfield Guineas following a three and a half-length romp in the Guineas Prelude.  
Kiwi Bred Bankers Choice wins Mornington Cup
Versatile Kiwi-bred galloper Bankers Choice has provided himself with a shot at one of the biggest prizes on the Victorian spring racing calendar with victory in Saturday’s $300,000 Listed Mornington Cup (2400m).
Consecutive Hall Mark Stakes Wins For Mazu
Taking his earnings past $9m for Triple Crown Syndications, the Joe Pride trained Mazu (Maurice) hasn’t won since this meeting last year but put the writing on the wall at his last two starts before going back-to-back in the Group 3 ATC Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
Spirit Of Boom Brings Up 30th Stakes Winner
Off the back of a last start 1200m victory at Eagle Farm, Tony Gollan’s 3yo gelding Boomtown Boss stepped up to 1400m for the first time in his career, taking out the Listed BRC Daybreak Lover to become the 30th stakes winner for Eureka Stud’s Spirit Of Boom.
Kiwi bred Jimmysstar Wins Crackerjack G1 All Aged
Former Kiwi galloper Jimmysstar has stamped himself as one of the most exciting sprinters in Australia with a brilliant victory in the Gr.1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday April 19
Here is the full list of 121 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.