Champion South African Racemare Ebony Flyer Dies Following Foaling Complications

[Wandering Eyes]

Ebony Flyer, a triple Grade 1 winner from six to eight furlongs when racing in South Africa for Team Valor International (TVI) and Gaynor Rupert, has died from complications after foaling a Bradsell filly on February 4. The daughter of Jet Master was euthanised on Saturday at Rossdales Equine Hospital in Newmarket.

Bred in the Western Cape by W. J. Engelbrecht Jr., Ebony Flyer and her dam were purchased privately in a deal struck by TVI CEO Barry Irwin after her three-year-old half-sister Captain's Lover (Captain Al) emerged as a leading contender for the G1 Cape Fillies Guineas. Irwin, who had bought Captain's Lover as a yearling, struck gold, as not only did Captain's Lover win the Guineas in 2007, but Ebony Flyer then followed suit in 2010, thereby providing their dam Sunshine Lover (Badger Land) with the rare distinction of producing a pair of Classic winners of the same race.

Ebony Flyer eventually retired as the winner of eight of her 13 career starts. She reportedly suffered from breathing issues following her Guineas triumph and required no less than three surgeries, before returning in 2012 to win both the G1 Majorca Stakes and G1 South African Fillies Sprint.

Irwin said, “We have raced champion females around the globe, including in England and Ireland, but the only other filly we had in her league was Ipi Tombe. Had she been able to breathe, there is no telling how good she would have become or how far she would have raced.”

As a producer, Ebony Flyer foaled seven winners from nine runners, including two black-type runners in South Africa, namely the Grade 3-placed Cot Campbell (Trippi) and Listed-placed Black Silver (Silvano). A foster mare has been found for her Bradsell filly who is said to be doing well.

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