MISTER BAILEYS, the fastest winner of the 2,000 Guineas, has died at the age of 18 after suffering from the long-term effects of grass sickness.
Mister Baileys, who was bred by Ranston Bloodstock Ltd, was by Robellino, out of the Sharpen Up mare Thimblerigger and from the same family as 1999 Derby winner Oath.
Bought as a yearling for 10,500gns by Paul Venner, managing director of Baileys Horse Feeds, he was sent to trainer Mark Johnston who produced him to win three times as a two-year-old, his victories including the Champagne Vintage Stakes and the Royal Lodge Stakes.
"He was a lovely looking colt with his striking white blaze and a great stride," said Venner, "and he just spoke to me."
Making his three-year-old debut in the 2,000 Guineas, Mister Baileys scooted clear three furlongs out, holding on to win by a short-head from the fast-finishing Grand Lodge with Colonel Collins back in third. His victory was achieved in 1m35.08sec time, which has not yet been bettered.
After a third-place finish behind Erhaab in the Dante, Mister Baileys went on to finish fourth behind the same horse in the Derby. A subsequent fifth in the Sussex Stakes led to the colt's retirement to the National Stud, which had bought a half share in the horse in July.
Sadly, however, Mister Baileys was struck down by grass sickness before his stud career began, and although he made a recovery, it was not until 1996 that he was able to stand at stud when shipped to Vinery Stud in America in October 1995.
Mister Baileys wasreturned to England in 2000 and was sent to stand at Whitsbury Stud. Despite not enjoying full fertility, he continued to cover mares until 2003 when he was pronounced infertile. He was retired to Venner's Petches Stud.
It was found that the horse was still suffering long term effects of grass sickness - he only had 33 per cent of gut function, while only 40 per cent of his liver was working correctly.
“Mister Baileys truly was a horse of a lifetime,” said Venner. “From the moment I saw him at the sales, he brought untold excitement through his racing achievements and relief and delight when he defied illness to produce some successful progeny.”
His best runners included the Grade 2 winner Package Store, Bahia Breeze, a dual Group 2 runner-up, as well as the Grade 3-placed Gottabeachboy
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