obituary

Gary Biszantz, who bought his first Thoroughbred for $400 at age 21 in 1956 and was still active in the sport nearly 70 years later, passed away Saturday afternoon after an accidental fall, according to Mike Owens, long-time manager of his Cobra Farm. Owens added that Biszantz's wife, Betty, and six daughters were all with him at the time. Biszantz was 91. Biszantz established Cobra Farm in the 90s, selling it last year after enjoying 480 winners, 32 in stakes and four at Grade I level, and twice went down...

Michael "Daffer" Kelly, a longtime stallion man at the Irish National Stud, passed away peacefully on March 5. Kelly was synonymous with many of the Irish National Stud's stallions over the years and was particularly associated with the outstanding sire Invincible Spirit, whom he handled throughout the horse's distinguished stud career. A respected and familiar figure to breeders and visitors alike, Kelly was widely admired for his horsemanship and dedication. Having joined the Irish National Stud in 1988, Kelly devoted his career to the Kildare operation. Said Irish National Stud...

Louis Romanet, former chairman of the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities, has died. Also a past director of France Galop, he was 78. Romanet's family has a long association with French racing, leading the French racing institution from 1907-2007. First the Société d'Encouragement, responsible for Flat racing, where his great-uncle Maurice, his grandfather René and his father Jean succeeded one another. In 1995, Louis helmed France Galop, which integrated Flat and jumps racing under a single umbrella until he retired from his post in 2007. He joined the Société...

Three-time G1 Melbourne Cup heroine Makybe Diva has died after a short battle with colic. An Australian racing icon, she was a member of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame since 2006 and achieved Legend status in 2010. She was 27. By Desert King, the mare won the Melbourne Cup from 2003-2005 and is the only Melbourne Cup winner to take the "Race that Stops the Nation" three times. Makybe Stud said in a statement, "A once-in-a-generation legend, Makybe Diva captured the imagination of the nation and the admiration of...

Economics, a European Group 1 winner, has died in India, according to published reports. The G1 Irish Champion Stakes-winning son of Night Of Thunder was standing his first season at Poonawalla Stud. Bred by Copgrove Hall Stud and a dual graduate of the Tattersalls sales, the blaze-faced chestnut won four of his seven starts for trainer William Haggas and regular rider Tom Marquand. Raced by Isa Salman Al Khalifa, he also landed the G2 Dante Stakes and G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano during his seven-race career. Out of dual G2 Prix...

Former European stallion Reliable Man has died in New Zealand, GaloppOnline reported on Thursday. The G1 Prix du Jockey Club-winning son of Dalakhani was 18. Gestut Rottgen's Frank Dorff told the publication, "This morning we received the sad news from New Zealand about the death of the stallion Reliable Man. He had to be operated on, unfortunately he had to be euthanized as a result of complications after the operation." Bred by N. P. Bloodstock, the grey would win his first three starts in succession as a three-year-old, culminating in...

Argentine champion and GI Breeders' Cup Distaff heroine Blue Prize (Arg) (Pure Prize--Blues for Sale {Arg}), by Not For Sale {Arg}) died at the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital on Monday after complications from foaling, according to Frank Taylor, the Vice President of Boarding Operations at Taylor Made Farms, where the 13-year-old mare has been boarded for her entire breeding career. "She had complications from a hemorrhage," Taylor said. "She had a foal [by Life Is Good] about a week ago." According to Taylor, her latest filly is doing well....

Bill Recio, a respected and accomplished horseman, passed away on Feb. 10 following a brief illness. He was 78 years old. Born in Miami, Florida, Bill was introduced to thoroughbred racing at an early age by his uncle, an owner-trainer. From the moment he experienced the beauty of the horse and the electricity of the racetrack, he knew his life's path would be in the horse business. The quote, "There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man," could not have...

At Barn 47 on the Santa Anita backstretch Friday morning, stable staff was going about its business a day after the passing of trainer John Shirreffs. Among those at the barn was Shirreffs's top client, owner Lee Searing of C R K Stable. "He was a great man. It was an honor to have him in our lives," Searing said. Shirreffs died in his sleep in the overnight hours of Wednesday into Thursday morning at the age of 80. According to Searing, he was found passed away on the couch...

A trainer built equal parts brilliant and idiosyncratic, John Shirreffs passed away quietly in his sleep overnight Wednesday into Thursday morning. He was 80 years old. He leaves behind the kind of record unmatched by all but a select few. At the summit of Shirreffs's mammoth achievements was of course Zenyatta--elegant and imperious, who between 2007 and 2010 achieved the near impossible: 19 straight wins and 13 Grade I victories including back-to-back Breeders' Cup crowns, one of them a Classic. Zenyatta was just denied an exquisite send-off in the Breeders'...

One of the last sons of Sunday Silence, Daiwa Major died on Tuesday morning, according to Netkeiba. Based at Shadai Stallion Station, the pensioned Classic winner was 25. A two-time champion miler, the son of Daiwa Scarlet (Northern Taste) was bred by Shadai Farm. Successful in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) in 2005, he landed the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and his first Mile Championship in 2006. He added the Yasuda Kinen and the Mile Championship in 2007. Also at five, he was third in the Dubai Duty Free. Trainer...

Valiant Crusader (Crusader Sword) passed away at Old Friends at Cabin Creek on Jan. 17, according to farm release on Sunday.  The 25-year-old stallion was humanely euthanized after sustaining injuries in a paddock accident. "Cru meant so much to us," said JoAnn Pepper, owner and manager of Old Friends at Cabin Creek. "He could brighten the day just by standing there. He was fun and happy. He loved every meal, just like his father did. He leaves us sad, but blessed to have known and loved him." Valiant Crusader retired...