Group 1 racehorse and sire Umatilla passed away peacefully in his paddock at Blue Gum Farm on Wednesday morning.  He was 23 years old and had been pensioned from active stud duties in 2009.

Umatilla (Miswaki) was conceived in Kentucky to southern hemisphere time and was born in New Zealand in 1988.

Purchased at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale by American owner Bill DuPont, Umatilla was trained by Tommy Hughes snr and was a G1 winner of the Karrakatta Plate in Perth.

Umatilla commenced stud duties in 1993 and has sired 34 stakes winners for over $36 million in earnings.

“Umatilla has been buried here alongside Noalcoholic and Rubiton,” Blue Gum owner Phil Campbell said.  “It is a sad day as he has been a much loved member of our family for a long time now and it has been an absolute privilege to have been associated with him.”

Umatilla’s Group 1 winners include the two-time Toorak Handicap winner Umrum, Sydney Cup winner Streak, Adelaide Cup winner Bohemiath, Emirates Stakes winner Valedictum, Karrakatta Plate winner Umah and the recent Stradbroke Handicap and George Main Stakes winner Sincero.