Champion sire Gone West was put down on Monday night following complications from colic.  The Mr. Prospector stallion, who was 25, was buried next to Diesis at Mill Ridge Farm in Kentucky.  He had been pensioned earlier this year due to declining fertility.

Mill Ridge managing partner Headley Bell, whose grandfather bred Sir Ivor, thanked breeders for the their support over the years.  “It is a privilege to have been associated with such a classy horse,” Bell said.  “He has left a lasting legacy.”

Gone West won the 1987 Dwyer Stakes (G1), Gotham Stakes (G2) and Withers Stakes (G2) before retiring to Mill Ridge in 1988 for an advertised fee of $40,000.  His fee peaked at $150,000 in 2005.

Gone West has sired 98 stakes winners from 19 crops and is a noted sire of sires.  They include Speightstown, Zafonic, Da Hoss, Johar, Grand Slam, Commendable, Mr. Greeley, Elusive Quality, Western Winter (South Africa) and Zamindar (France).

His sons have been based around Australia and one of the most successful has been Tasmanian resident West Quest.  Gone West’s full brother Lion Cavern stood here from 2001 to 2003.  His latest sire son to arrive is Southwestern Heat who is serving his first mares at Willowbend Stud in Queensland.