Kentucky lost its third high-profile stallion in the space of a week when Cryptoclearance died of a heart attack on Thursday.  He was 25.

Cryptoclearance retired to Vinery in 1990 after a celebrated Group 1 career and had been based at Margaux Farm since 1996.  His demise follows the deaths of fellow elder statesmen El Prado and Summer Squall.

“He was a breed-shaping horse,” Margaux Farm’s managing partner Steve Johnson said yesterday.  “His influence will be passed down over the years through not only his sons, but very significantly, through his daughters.

Trainer Scotty Schulhofer bought Cryptoclearance for $190,000 at the 1985 Saratoga yearling sale and he remained wholly owned by Phil Teinowitz throughout his racing and breeding careers.

Cryptoclearance (Fappiano – Naval Orange by Out of the Hoist) was a Group 1 winner of the Florida Derby, Pegasus Handicap, Widener Handicap and Donn Handicap.  He finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby, second in the Preakness Stakes and third in the Belmont Stakes.

Cryptoclearance has sired 42 stakes winners including the G1 winners Volponi (Breeders’ Cup Classic), Victory Gallop (Belmont Stakes), Millennium Wind (Blue Grass Stakes) and Strategic Maneuver (Spinaway & Matron Stakes).  Strategic Maneuver went on to produce NZ shuttler Ishiguru who was also put down last week.