G1 Australian Oaks winner and outstanding producer Circles of Gold (Aus) (Marscay {Aus}–Olympic Aim, by Zamazaan {Fr}) has died at age 25 at Segenhoe Stud in Australia.
After a racing career that also included placings in the G1 Caulfield Cup, G1 Queensland Oaks and twice in the G1 C.F. Orr S., Circles of Gold produced 12 named foals, nine of which were winners. Her influence was apparent early on with her second foal, Lady Circles (Aus) (Ascot Knight), producing four stakes horses. Her third foal was the four-time Group 1 winner Elvstroem (Aus) (Danehill), and he was immediately followed by Hveger (Aus) (Danehill), whose three stakes horses are headed by globetrotting Group 1 winner Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Highland Reel gave the family its latest boost when winning last weekend's GI Breeders' Cup Turf.
Two years later Circles of Gold foaled the G1 Doncaster H. and G1 George Ryder S. victor Haradasun (Aus) (Fusaichi Pegasus). Her last foal is a 3-year-old son of Choisir (Aus) named Coroebus (Aus), and she was barren in 2014 and 2015.
Segenhoe Stud General Manager Peter O'Brien told breednet.com.au, “I had the true honour to have been associated with her for 21 of her 25 years and she truly was one of a kind. A beautifully quiet mare whose exploits through her daughters and granddaughters will continue on for many years to come, it seems only fitting that her grandson Highland Reel won the Breeders Cup on [Saturday] to highlight her lineage. She will be buried alongside her great mates and fellow champions Parfore and Skating on top of a hill at Segenhoe and I would like to thank Frank Tagg, Frank Meduri and Garry Moffit, her owners, who have spared no expense with her care long after she retired from breeding.”
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