Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted May 18, 2020 Journalists Share Posted May 18, 2020 Forty Niner (Mr. Prospector-File, by Tom Rolfe), a four-time Grade I winner and champion of his generation in 1987 before becoming a sire of considerable importance, passed away Monday, May 18, in Japan due to the infirmities of old age. He had just celebrated his 35th birthday. Owned and bred by Claiborne Farm and trained by Woody Stephens, Forty Niner won the 1987 GI Futurity S. and GI Champagne S. to clinch a divisional championship. A leading sophomore of 1988, Forty Niner missed by a neck to Winning Colors in the GI Kentucky Derby and bounced back from a disappointing effort behind eventual champion Risen Star (Secretariat) in the GI Preakness S. to add the GI Haskell Invitational S. and GI Travers S., defeating Seeking the Gold narrowly on each occasion. Forty Niner stood at Claiborne from the time of his retirement in 1989 through 1995, siring 41 stakes winners, 22 at graded level, including Distorted Humor. The latter, one of six Grade I winners for his sire, carries on the legacy of Forty Niner at WinStar Farm. He was also the sire of 1996 GI Belmont S. hero Editor’s Note, fellow Travers winner Coronado’s Quest, Ecton Park, Nine Keys, Marley Vale and Gold Fever. He was the leading freshman sire of 1992, and his son End Sweep followed suit in 1998. Forty Niner was sold to continue his career at Shizunai Stallion Station and was pensioned from stud duties in 2007. From his Japanese crops, he was responsible for nine stakes winners, including two group winners. This story will be updated The post Forty Niner Passes Away in Japan at 35 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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