Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas winner Atlante has died at Mapperley Stud in Matamata.

“He was a true gentleman taken far too soon,” Mapperley studmaster Simms Davison said of the 6yo stallion.  “Rest easy boy.”

Atlante (Fastnet Rock – Readyforcatherine by More Than Ready) was bred by Reavill Farm and fetched $170,000 at the 2012 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.  He was re-offered at the NZB Ready to Run Sale where he was bought for $200,000.

The Australian bred colt won the 2013 NZ 2000 Guineas and headed back across the Tasman for a close second to Dissident in the G2 Hobartville Stakes during a four-start Sydney campaign.  Team Hawkes then moved him to Melbourne where he won the LR Drummond Stakes. (1200m) at Moonee Valley defeating Trust In A Gust.

He bowed out after failing behind Sacred Star in last year’s G1 Waikato Sprint (1400m).  He was standing at Mapperley for a $7,000 service fee.

ATLANTE