RaceHorseHeroes

jejquade · Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 12:30 pm Post subject: Forzando

By Nancy Sexton12.26PM 23 JUL 2009

FORZANDO, a prolific source of winners over the past 20 years, died on Tuesday at Throckmorton Court Stud at the age of 28. The son of Formidable had spent the past three seasons in retirement.

"He was a smashing horse who did us proud," said Peter Balding of Throckmorton Court Stud."He could get a sharp two-year-old and bred a lot of good winners. He was a pleasure to deal with and one of the kindest stallions we've had. Fozzy will be very hard to replace."

Forzando was a useful two-year-old for Michael Jarvis, winning five races including a valuable Newmarket nursery under top weight.

But although he improved again as a three-year-old to take the Group 2 Premio Melton, it wasn't until he was switched to the US at four that he blossomed, with his most notable victory coming in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap.

Forzando retired to Littleton Stud in 1987 and wasted little time in making his name as a consistent producer of tough and fast horses. Among his best performers were the Group-winning sprint juveniles Up And At ‘Em and Easycall, as well as the Cork and Orrery Stakes winner Superior Premium, himself sire of Listed winner Baby Strange.

He is also the broodmare sire of last season's Breeders' Cup Marathon winner Muhannak.

Forzando was transferred to Throckmorton Court Stud in 1998 following a nine year stint at Britton House Stud. Out of the King's Troop mare Princely Maid, Forzando was a half-brother to the Group 2-placed sprinter Lady Constance.