The Indian breeding industry has been dealt a double blow with the loss of two leading stallions in the last week.  Razeen (Northern Dancer) died at Usha Stud aged 24 while Placerville (Mr Prospector) succumbed to a heart attack at Poonawalla Stud aged 21.

Both horses arrived in India after being trained in Newmarket by Henry Cecil.  Razeen was owned by Sheikh Mohammed and was an unplaced favourite in the 1990 English Derby won by Quest For Fame after winning the Predominate Stakes at Goodwood.  He has sired an amazing 56 individual classic winners in India.

Juddmonte Farms owner Khalid Abdullah raced Placerville and he defeated Arc de Triomphe winner Urban Sea in the 1993 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot.  He has sired 157 black-type performers headed by Indian Triple Crown winner Smart Chieftain.