Grand Slam Dies At 17

Grand Slam, sire of Summerhill Stud’s Visionaire, died March 31 at Ashford Stud in Kentucky, as a result of heart failure. He is represented by four 3-year-old stakes winners in 2012.

Commenting on his sudden death, Ashford manager Dermot Ryan said, “Grand Slam was a pleasure to have here, and he was very popular with breeders as he sired nearly 800 winners and has progeny earnings of over $64 million. It’s a sad day for the staff here who worked with him and for all the partners who were involved with the horse and who have always been fantastic to deal with.”

Grand Slam, who was produced from the stakes-winning El Gran Senor mare Bright Candles, is represented by 73 stakes winners including Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Grade I) winner Cajun Beat, Saratoga Grade I winner Visionaire, Japanese group I winner Café Olympus, and this year’s Kentucky Oaks (Grade I) contender Millionreasonswhy.

Trained by D. Wayne Lukas, the 17-year-old son of Gone West raced for Robert and Christina Baker, William Mack, and David Cornstein. As a juvenile he won the Futurity Stakes (Grade I) and the Champagne Stakes (Grade I). At 3, he won the Peter Pan Stakes (Grade II) and placed in five graded stakes including the Breeders’ Cup Sprint.

Visionaire was imported to South Africa last year, and stood his first season at Summerhill Stud in 2011. His foals are eagerly anticipated. Visionaire is out of Scarlet Tango by French Deputy.

Story courtesy www.bloodhorse.com