Key Of Luck succumbs to heart attack in Ireland

Key Of Luck (USA), a three quarter brother to Anabaa and a top-class sire in his own right, has died of a heart attack at Tara Stud in Co. Meath.  He was 21.

Key Of Luck (Chief’s Crown) reached a career-high at stud when Alamshar won the Irish Derby – King George double in 2003.  He has been represented by 218 winners at a 52% strike rate.

Alamshar heads his list of 10 stakes winners.  The Aga Khan homebred later saw service at the Irish National Stud and Japan.

A high-class performer on the track for trainer Francois Boutin, Key Of Luck broke the course record when successful in the Prix d’Arenberg at Chantilly as a two-year-old.   He was also a 20-length winner of the Dubai Duty Free for Kiaran McLaughlin as a five-year-old.

Bred by Gainsborough Farm in 1991, Key Of Luck was the first foal of G1 Prix Robert Papin winner Balbonella.  She also won the G3 Dahlia Hcp at Hollywood Park.

Balbonella foaled Anabaa (Danzig) the following year.  He was a G1 sprinter in England and France and shuttled to Widden Stud until his death in July 2009.