Former Eureka Stud shuttler Piccolo died from a severe bout of colic in England on Sunday.

The 25-year-old stallion had been based at Throckmorton Court Stud in Worcestershire since 2010.  He originally retired to Lavington Stud in West Sussex in 1996 and also stood at Lanwades Stud in Newmarket for three seasons from 2007.

Piccolo (Warning) won the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes in 1994 and added the G2 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot a year later.  The best of his English bred progeny was top mare La Cucaracha who emulated her sire in 2005 Nunthorpe.

Piccolo initially shuttled to Eureka Stud from 1998 to 2001 siring stakes winners Picaday (G1 T J Smith), Helter Skelter and Picardi Run.  Studmaster Colin McAlpine brought him back for another stint in Queensland between 2004 and 2006.

His final southern crops contained Temple Of Boom (G1 The Galaxy) and Express Air (G2 Queensland Guineas).

“Piccolo was covering mares right up until Saturday,” Throckmorton studmaster Simon Balding said.  “He had a good innings and made a lot of friends.  He was a kind, lovely horse in every way.”

PICCOLO