Eskendereya (Giant's Causeway–Aldebaran Light, by Seattle Slew), whose son Mitole was the leading freshman sire of 2023 by winners and progeny earnings, died of heart failure Mar. 2 at Shichinohe Stallion Station in Japan, where he had been standing since 2016. He was 17 years of age.
Bred in Kentucky by Sanford Robertson, Eskendereya was purchased by Zayat Stables for $250,000 at the 2008 Keeneland September sale. Turned over to Todd Pletcher, the chestnut broke his maiden in a rained-off renewal of the 2009 Pilgrim S. and switched to the synthetic for that year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile, finishing ninth. He was perfect in three starts at three, including romping scores in the GII Fountain of Youth S. and GI Wood Memorial S., but he suffered a leg injury leading up to the 2010 GI Kentucky Derby and entered stud at Taylor Made Stallions the following year. He retired with a record of 4-1-0 from six starts for earnings of $725,700.
From his six American-foaled crops, Eskendereya was responsible for 22 black-type winners, including GI Met Mile winner Mor Spirit as well as Mitole. America's champion sprinter of 2019, the Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt runner amassed four Grade I wins that season, including the Met Mile and GI Breeders' Cup Sprint.
Eskendereya entered stud at Shizunai Stallion Station on the island of Hokkaido and has sired for 109 individual winners from 167 starters. All totaled, Eskendereya has been represented by 365 winners which have earned nearly $42.1 million.
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