Colic claims Group 1 stallions in Japan and Kentucky

Group 1 stallions Chichicastenango and Purim have died on the eve of the 2012 northern breeding season.

Chichicastenango (Smadoun) failed to recover from colic surgery.  He was 14 and had been based at Shadai Stallion Station in Japan since 2009.

Chichicastenango was a G1 winner of the 2001 Grand Prix de Paris and Prix Lupin.  He retired to Haras de Victot in France and, off moderate fees, sired G1 French Derby hero Vision d’tat and G3 winners Chichi Creasy, Bubble Chic and Chinandega.

His first Japanese crop are current two-year-olds and they were extremely well received at last summer’s JRHA Select yearling sale with top price of $US 658,500 paid for the colt from Promotion (Hector Protector).

Promotion was a G3 winner of the Queen Stakes at Nakayama and the best of her four winners to date has been Admire Main (Sunday Silence).  He was a G2 winner of the Aoba Sho in Tokyo and was also runner-up in the 2006 Japanese Derby.

Kentucky G1 winner Purim also died following colic surgery.  He had been based at Richland Hills Farm and there were 6 juvenile winners in his first crop during 2011.

Purim (Dynaformer) developed into a formidable turf performer, winning 9 of his 23 starts including the 2007 G1 Shadwell Turf Mile at Keeneland.

Purim was a 10 year-old and his early demise has dented hopes of maintaining the Dynaformer sireline in Kentucky.  His dam Kirsteena (Lord At War) was from the extended family of legendary galloper Dr Fager.

Dynaformer is best known in Australia through the deeds of his Melbourne Cup winning son Americain.  A son of Roberto, he is 27 and still active although his 2012 book is limited to 40 mares at Three Chimneys Farm.