Former Swettenham Stud shuttler The Wow Signal (Ire) has died after battling laminitis in France.

The Wow Signal (Starspangledbanner – Muravka by High Chaparral) was trained by John Quinn for Al Shaqab Racing and was a juvenile winner of the G2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and G1 Prix Morny at Deauville.

The Deauville performance encouraged connections to begin planning a Guineas campaign.  “He’s so tough and determined, he has the heart of a lion,” jockey Frankie Dettori said.  “We know we’ve got a good horse with a lot of class.”

Back in training at three, the Guineas preparation was progressing well until he suffered an injury and was retired to Al Shaqab’s French stud Haras de Bouquetot.

Like his sire, The Wow Signal proved sub-fertile.  He covered 43 mares at Swettenham in 2015 for just 12 foals.  Three of them sold at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale at an average $68,330 earlier this month.

THE WOW SIGNAL