Widden Stud shuttler Anabaa has died from acute peritonitis following colic surgery at Haras du Quesnay in Deauville.  The Kentucky-bred Danzig stallion was 17.

Anabaa had shuttled between France and Australia since 1997.  His only year off was in E.I. ravaged 2007.  His covered 80 mares at Widden last year.

His Australian bred Group 1 winners included  Yell (MRC C F Orr Stakes, Futurity Stakes & MVRC Australia Stakes), Virage De Fortune (QTC Sires’ Produce Stakes & MVRC Australia Stakes), Headturner (AJC Australian Derby), Imananabaa (NZ Railway Handicap) and Teranaba (AJC Spring Champion Stakes).

Anabaa’s top European bred G1 winners included Rouvres (Prix Jean Prat), Amonita (Prix Marcel Boussac), Goldikova (USA Breeders’ Cup Mile) and Anabaa Blue (French Derby) who is now a leading stallion in France.

Anabaa is also the sire of US stakes winner Tsigane (Fr) who has been based at Larneuk Stud in Victoria since 2006.

Anabaa was bred in Kentucky by Gainsborough Farm from the Group 1 winner Balbonella (Gay Mecene).  He was Europe’s champion sprinter of 1996 when he won the July Cup (G1) and Prix Maurice de Gheest (G1).

Haras du Quesnay, which is operated by the Head family, also lost leading sire Highest Honor in June.