Coolmore Stud sire Septimus has died due to complications following a gelding operation.  The son of Sadler’s Wells was put back into training this year after getting just three mares in foal during his first season at stud.

Septimus (7h Sadler´s Wells — Caladira by Darshaan) was a juvenile stakes winner of the Beresford Stakes at two and returned the following year to win the Dante Stakes by eight lengths.  He developed into a top-class stayer at four with victories in the Yorkshire Cup and Irish St Leger.

Septimus will forever be remembered in Australia for his part in Ballydoyle’s botched attempt to win the 2008 Melbourne Cup.  Septimus, along with his stablemates Alessandro Volta and Honolulu, went out with unsustainable sectionals and the trio were swamped before the home turn.

Septimus pulled up sore and was given plenty of time to recover with a view to a Breeders’ Cup campaign in 2009.  He didn’t make the trip to Santa Anita for the BC Marathon and was retired to Castle Hyde Stud under the Coolmore jumps banner in 2010.