Leroidesanimaux (Brz) (Candy Stripes–Dissemble {GB}, by Ahonoora {GB}), the Eclipse champion turf male of 2005 and sire of GI Kentucky Derby and G1 Dubai World Cup winner Animal Kingdom, has died at age 16 at Lanwades Stud in Newmarket following complications from a minor paddock accident earlier this year.
Foaled in Brazil, Leroidesanimaux broke his maiden there and was Group 1-placed before being transferred to Bobby Frankel in the U.S. He was fourth in his local debut sprinting on the grass before winning eight straight. He collected the GIII Inglewood H. and GIII Monrovia H. before capping the 2004 season with a breakthrough victory in Hollywood Park's GI Citation H. He kicked off his 5-year-old campaign with another Grade I win in the Frank Kilroe H. and, after an extended break, added Saratoga's GII Fourstardave H. before turning Woodbine's GI Atto Mile into a 7 3/4-length demolition. He was crowned Eclipse champion turf male for his 2005 exploits.
Leroidesanimaux retired to Stonewall Farm in Kentucky in 2006 and later relocated to Stonewall Farm in Florida before being expatriated to Lanwades Stud in Newmarket, where he stood the past three seasons. He is now best known as the sire of the 2011 Kentucky Derby and 2013 Dubai World Cup winner Animal Kingdom, and he is also the sire of GII Indiana Oaks winner Always A Princess, who was Grade I-placed, and Argentinean Group 1 winner Una Cabeza (Arg). He sired eight stakes winners last year and two already this year. Leroidesanimaux covered just a handful of mares this year before his injury.
“We are extremely saddened at the tragic loss of Leroi,” said Kirsten Rausing of Lanwades Stud. “He was still in the prime of life and would no doubt have proved an exceptional asset to the European Thoroughbred industry. We are absolutely delighted with the yearlings and foals he has produced during his time at Lanwades.”
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