Former Australian shuttler Lake Coniston has died in South Africa.  He was 23.

Lake Coniston (Bluebird – Persian Polly by Persian Bold) was voted Champion European Sprinter in 1995 after defeating Piccolo by four lengths in the G1 July Cup at Newmarket.

He was sold as a stallion prospect by Highclere Thoroughbreds to Coolmore Stud and his leading European bred performer was Continent who completed a Group 1 double in the 2002 July Cup and Prix de l’Abbaye.

Lake Coniston initially shuttled to Woodlands Stud and he also spent a season at Kim McKellar’s Wyndholm Park Stud in Ballarat.  The best of his Australian progeny were Adelaide stakes winners Aragonce and Cumbria.

An Irish bred son of Swettenham stallion Bluebird, he also saw service in England, Italy and New Zealand before a final move to South Africa.

He stood at Odessa Stud until three years ago when owner Lionel Cohen sold up and relocated to Australia.  Subsequently moved to Kimberley, he remained highly fertile getting all his mares in foal last season.