Pearling (Storm Cat–Mariah's Storm, by Rahy), the dam of triple Group 1 winner and stallion Decorated Knight (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), passed away this week, Imad Al Sagar's Blue Diamond Stud announced on Tuesday. The 17-year-old, who was set to return to Frankel this season, foaled a Frankel (GB) filly this week, the stud confirmed to the TDN.
“Very sad to lose Pearling this week,” the stud tweeted. “She was one of the first mares to join Blue Diamond and gave us a true star in Decorated Knight. She leaves a lasting legacy with us and we are lucky to have three of her daughters.”
Bred by Pacelco in Kentucky, she ran second in two starts Stateside, and was offered by Highclere Stud during the 2011 Tattersalls December Mares Sale in foal to Galileo. She brought 1.3 million gns from Tony Nerses on behalf of Saleh Al Homaizi and Al Sagar who ran Blue Diamond Stud jointly at that time. The foal she was carrying was Decorated Knight. Put back through the ring at the 2018 edition of that sale also in foal to Galileo to dissolve their partnership, she hammered for 2.4 million to Blue Diamond Stud Farm UK, which is now operated solely by Al Sagar.
She also has the winning Ambrosia (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who went to WinStar for 1.3 million gns at Tattersalls December that year. In total, Pearling produced seven foals, with her latest pair the 5-year-old mare Blue Diamond (Ire), a full-sister to Decorated Knight, and filly Haute Couture (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who arrived in 2021. Blue Diamond was offered at the 2018 Tattersalls December Foal Sale, and was picked up by Blue Diamond for 1.7 million gns.
A full-sister to six-time Group 1 winner and 'Iron Horse' Giant's Causeway who would go on to stallion success in America, Pearling is also a full to outstanding producer You'resothrilling, a dual group winner. The latter has seven black-type winners to her name, led by dual Classic winner and sire Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
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