US Horse of the Year Black Tie Affair has been retired from stud duties at O’Sullivan Farms in West Virginia due to declining fertility.

The 23-year-old son of Miswaki earned Horse of the Year honours in 1991 after victories in the G1 Philip H Iselin Handicap and Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The following year he embarked on his stud carer at Vinery in Kentucky and spent six seasons there before being transferred to East Stud in Japan.  He returned to the US in 2004.

He has sired 410 winners from 683 runners who have earned in excess of US$56 million.  His best progeny include Group 1 winners Evening Attire and Formal Gold as well as Brazilian champion My Tie.

His most lasting impression on the breed may be exerted through his daughter Starlight Dreams who is the dam of the Aidan O’Brien-trained Mastercraftsman.

A G1 winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James’s Palace Stakes this year, Mastercraftsman is a son of Danehill Dancer and has already earned himself a place on the Coolmore stallion roster either next year or in 2011.

MEANWHILE, Mastercraftsman’s little sister Famous broke her maiden at Leopardstown last Thursday.  The Aidan O’Brien-trained daughter of Danehill Dancer topped last year’s Goffs Million Sale when selling to Demi O’Byrne for one million euros.

She is the seventh foal out of Starlight Dreams, a winning daughter of Black Tie Affair from the family of Sakhee.  As well as Mastercraftsman and Famous, Starlight Dreams is also the dam of smart US miler Genuine Devotion.