Former Lane’s End Farm stallion Gulch (USA) was put down at the Old Friends retirement facility in Kentucky on Sunday.

At 32, he was the oldest living USA Breeders’ Cup winner.

Lane’s End pensioned Gulch in 2009 after 21 year’s service and he became one of the flagship attractions at Old Friends.

Gulch (Mr Prospector – Jameela by Rambunctious) has sired 76 stakes winners including 1995 Kentucky Derby winner Thunder Gulch who shuttled to Coolmore Australia where he got Group 1 winners Tempest Morn, Tully Thunder and Shot Of Thunder.

Shot Of Thunder retired to Glenlogan Park but died after just one season at stud.  Tsuimai (G2 Gloaming Stakes) provided another avenue for the sireline at Oaklands Stud, however, his stud career was cut short after three seasons.

His G1 Prix Jean Prat winner Torrential also stood here with limited success in the 1990s.

Gulch won 13 times in 32 starts under trainers LeRoy Jolley and D. Wayne Lukas.  His record included the G1 Hopeful Stakes and G1 Futurity as a two year-old followed by the G1 Wood Memorial and G1 Metropolitan at three.

His Eclipse Award winning season as a four year-old in 1988 included the G1 Carter Hcp and a second G1 Metropolitan en route to his greatest victory in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs.

“Leroy Jolley once said Gulch must have been the toughest horse who ever lived,” Old Friends president Michael Blowen said.  “He was confident, self-possessed and regal.  He didn’t demand respect – he earned it.  He’s irreplaceable.”

GULCH
Pictured in retirement at Old Friends