It is with sadness and a sense of loss that Allan Bloodlines report the death of the Storm Cat stallion Where’s That Tiger (USA) over the weekend.
Where’s That Tiger
Where’s That Tiger (Storm Cat – Blissful by Mr Prospector) succumbed to heart failure – specifically a rupture of the aorta with full report on the post mortem yet to be constructed.
The son of a full sister to a Kentucky Derby Winner, Where’s that Tiger (USA) ended his somewhat nomadic life at home at Evergreen Stud, Paarl to which he had returned only recently from the Drakenstein Veterinary Clinic after a colic episode.
His visit was precautionary with quick overnight recovery on drips without the need for surgical intervention. Our condolences go especially to those who looked after this very friendly horse every day. “WTT” would always wander over to greet visitors, his coat invariably gleaming.
Trained at Ballydoyle by Aidan O’Brien, “WTT” won his 2 year old maiden at The Curragh on debut in 2005, following up with a Goodwood juvenile Listed fourth before being transferred to Mike de Kock in the ownership of Messrs Larry Nestadt and Bernard Kantor.
In Dubai he started superbly with a half length 2nd in the UAE Guineas, a race that his trainer said he would have won but for having to run wide. Then he found himself in the care of Gay Waterhouse in Australia where he blitzed the field in a barrier trial of quality runners but was soon sent to stud in South Australia.
He sired some remarkable stats.
Perhaps the most impressive – and relevant – is his R123,600 overall Average Earnings per Runner in South Africa.
With 51% winners/runners worldwide – mostly in Australia and South Africa – WTT’s handful of imports to SA scored no less than three stakes wins and two stakes places between them.
Where’s That Tiger
The stallion himself was then imported to South Africa by his owners, receiving support to the extent of 34 live foals in his 2015-born first SA crop of 40+ mares. A couple of subsequent crops were larger, but then with the “gap” in runners following the stallion’s import, he went quieter pending his SA crops hitting the racecourse.
19 of the first crop ran as surprisingly early 2 year olds in 2017/18, 5 winners of 7 races, with all eyes here on the first 3 year olds. As his first South African breds find their feet, we are aware of senior trainers making comments now such as “the best 2 year old in my yard”, “I am confident he will make up into a serious horse” and “I wish I had a couple more Where’s that Tigers”. Time will tell.
