Virginia Kraft Payson's homebred 1992 European Horse of the Year St. Jovite (Pleasant Colony–Northern Sunset {Ire}, by Northfields) was euthanized Jan. 9 at Michael Keogh's Ballysax Manor Stud in Ireland due to the infirmities of old age, announced Payson Stud Friday. He was 27.
A champion 2-year-old in Ireland for Payson and trainer Jim Bolger after wins in the G3 Anglesey S. and G1 Futurity S. both at The Curragh in 1991, St. Jovite finished fourth in the G1 Grand Criterium to Arazi (Blushing Groom {Fr}) to end his season at Longchamp that October. Even better at three, the bay filled the same spot in The Curragh's G3 Gladness S. in April, but bounced back with a win in the G3 Derby Trial S. at Leopardstown in May of 1992. Second to Dr Devious (Ire) (Ahonoora {GB}) in the G1 Epsom Derby that June, St. Jovite thrashed that rival by 12 lengths in the Irish equivalent, setting a course record–that still stands–in the process and added the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond S. against his elders at Ascot in July, although it would be his final victory. Runner-up to arch-rival Dr Devious in the G1 Champion S. at Leopardstown in September, St. Jovite ended his career with a fourth-place effort in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp that October. In addition to his European Horse of the Year title, St. Jovite was highweight on the European Free Handicap at 11-13 1/2 furlongs and French highweight at 11-14 furlongs. He retired to Payson Stud in Kentucky having earned $1,604,439 with a record of 11-6-2-0.
Transferred to Greentree Stud in Ireland in 2006, St. Jovite was represented by eight black-type winners from 458 foals, with his top runner GI San Juan Capistrano Invitational H. winner Amerique. He was retired from stud duty to Ballysax Manor Stud in Ireland in 2014.
Born in 1989, St. Jovite was a son of 1995 Broodmare of the Year Northern Sunset. He was a full-brother to MGSW Lac Ouimet and a half-brother to GI Breeders' Cup Classic bridesmaid, GSW and MGISP L'Carriere (Carr de Naskra), as well as MGSW Salem Drive (Darby Creek Road) and G1SP Norberto (Roberto). His half-sister, the winning Dry North (Temperance Hill) produced SW Fly North (Pleasant Colony), in turn, the dam of U.S. champion sophomore filly Farda Amiga (Broad Brush).
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