The KZN breeding fraternity have lost a high-class stalwart with the sad news that Danehill stallion Toreador was euthanized at Bush Hill Stud on Sunday morning.
Toreador (Danehill – Purchasepaperchase)
In a brief statement, the stud said that it was with heavy hearts that they report that Toreador had to be euthanized for humane reasons on Sunday, after a brief but severe ailment.
“We thank the Vets and staff of Almiray Vet practice and Baker & McVeigh for their help and efforts in fighting for him. We would take this opportunity to thank the shareholders of the syndicate who owned Toreador for affording us the privilege of having stood this most special “gentleman” of the industry. He commanded respect and support from breeders and trainers far and wide and we thank you all for the support.”
Toreador was a Houghton Sales 250 000 guineas yearling, who won 4 races and ran 17 places from 1200m to a mile in England, Ireland and South Africa.
Toreador, an Irish-bred sprinter-miler by Danehill, won three races in South Africa having been imported here after his two-year-old season in Ireland in which he won one race. He was trained by Mike de Kock and besides his wins, his best achievements were runner up finishes in all of the Gr1 Gold Challenge over 1 600m, the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes also over 1600m and the Gr2 Sentinel Stakes over 1 200m. He also ran third in South Africa’s premier mile, the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate.
He started his stud career in 2005 in the Western Cape and produced our Champion 2yo Colt of 2010, Link Man – who was also trained by Mike de Kock – and a host of stakes winners.
Link Man – Toreador’s first Gr1 star
Toreador is the sire of multiple KZN Breeders Award winner Matador Man and last season’s twice Gr1 winning 2016/17 KZN Sprint Champion, Bull Valley.
He produced multiple Graded Stakes winners including the fast Lazer Beat, Jackadore, She’s A Stunner, Prospect Strike, Rikitikitana, Las Ramblas, Deliver The Power, Roc ‘n Rose, Prince Paseo and Straight Forward.
