RaceHorseHeroes

jejquade · Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:57 pm Post subject: Sunriver

By Martin Stevens12.57PM 28 AUG 2009

SUNRIVER, who had just completed his second season covering mares at Empire Stud in New York, died on Tuesday at theage of six. A cause of death has not been confirmed, though a heart attack or aneurysm are suspected.

Empire Stud president Jamie LaMonica said: "It is a sad day for Empire Stud, a sad day for New York, and a sad day for all of the shareholders who so strongly supported the horse during his two years at stud."

A son of Saint Ballado and brother to prolific Grade 1-winning mare Ashado, Sunriver scored in the Peter Pan Stakes and finished third in both the Florida Derby and the Belmont Stakes at three.

At four he won the Grade 2 Bowling Green Handicap and was narrowly beaten into second by Doctor Dino in the ManO'War Stakes. He gained a deserved first Grade 1 victory at the end of that season, on his final career start, in the Hollywood Turf Cup.

In his first season at stud he covered 90 mares at a fee of $15,000. Dropped to $12,500 this year, he serviced a book of 81 mares.