Fort Wood, 25, Dies in South Africa

Fort Wood (Sadler’s Wells–Fall Aspen, by Pretense), a two-time leading sire in South Africa for Mauritzfontein Stud, passed away from heart failure early Saturday morning according to Sporting Post. He was 25. Trained by Andre Fabre for Sheikh Mohammed, the bay–who raced exclusively as a 3-year-old–won half of his six starts including the G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G2 Prix Noallies. 

Retired with earnings of $335,255 after injuring himself during a work, Fort Wood was acquired by Mr. and Mrs. Oppenheimer’s Mauritzfontein Stud through the efforts of Alistair Brown of Equarius Bloodstock and stood his first season in 1994. His first crop contained three Group 1 winners with the best of these being Horse Chestnut (SAf), a Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year. Horse Chestnut was joined by Dog Wood (SAf) and Fort Defiance (SAf). Fort Wood sired two more Horses of the Year during his career with Celtic Grove (SAf) and Dynasty (SAf). The American-bred also won two South African sire titles in 1998 and 1999 and led the broodmare sires lists in 2012 and 2013. His total stakes winners stands at 73 with 15 Group 1 winners to date according to Brisnet. 

Out of GI Matron S. heroine and Broodmare of the Year Fall Aspen, Fort Wood was a half-brother to champion juvenile male, Classic winner and MGISW Timber Country (Woodman), Irish 3-year-old highweight and GSW Bianconi (Danzig), GISWs Northern Aspen (Northern Dancer) and Hamas (Danzig), MGSW & MGISP Colorado Dancer (Ire)–dam of champion Dubai Millennium (GB) (Seeking the Gold), GSWs Elle Seule (Exclusive Native) and Mazzacano (GB) (Alleged) and stakes-winning GI Kentucky Derby third Prince of Thieves (Hansel).