Johar Dies in Paddock Accident

The Thoroughbred Corporation’s 2003 GI Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Johar (Gone West–Windsharp, by Lear Fan) died yesterday at the age of 15 after being injured in his paddock, Mill Ridge Farm announced. 

The first foal out of champion Windsharp, the homebred made history when he dead heated with High Chaparral (Ire) (Sadler’s Wells) to win the the Breeders’ Cup Turf. It was the first dead heat in Breeders’ Cup history. Scoring victories in the GI Hollywood Derby, GII Oak Tree Derby and GII San Marcos S., Johar retired with a record of 16-6-4-2 and earnings of $1,494,496. 

The bay also found success in his stud career, with progeny that includes Canadian champion Tu Endie Wei; GISW Joha; GSW No Jet Lag; and MGSW millionaire Keertana. Johar will be buried beside his sire Gone West at Mill Ridge Farm. 

“It is a sad day for us to inform the passing of Johar,” Mill Ridge’s Headley Bell said. “He was with us a long time having been raised at Mill Ridge and bred and raced by Thoroughbred Corp. He reached the pinnacle of racing, dead heating in the Breeders’ Cup Turf with High Chaparral and as a sire with Grade I winner Joha. We will miss him here at Mill Ridge.”